The ArPA-LIRA research group from the Catalan Institute of Classical Archaeology (ICAC-CERCA) is organizing a round table as part of the Thematic Network RED2022-134955-T “Cosas de mármol: creación, usos y reciclaje de las producciones marmóreas en Hispania”, led by Dr. Diana Gorostidi (URV-ICAC).
The event, taking place on October 24-25 in Vila Viçosa (Alto Alentejo, Portugal), will bring together experts from various research centers and international universities.
This activity has a strong cross-disciplinary focus and aims to present scientific results from research groups and investigators from different institutions (ICAC-CERCA, IGME-CSIC, CHAIA) and universities (UNED, URV, UAB, Universidade de Évora) to the public in a rigorous yet didactic way.
Special emphasis will be placed on knowledge transfer activities between academia and local communities connected to the marble industry, an activity that continues to hold significant economic, social, and cultural importance in many areas of ancient Hispania.
As part of this, academic presentations will also feature projects and initiatives that highlight and engage the public with historical and geological heritage, such as the creation of audiovisual products through UNED Media, collaborations with the tourism industry, or historical reenactment activities.
Another key highlight of the round table will be the presentation of three documentaries from the series “El ciclo productivo del marmor en la península ibèrica desde la Antigüedad hasta nuestros días” (UNED Media), which were produced thanks to funding from RED2018-102722-T, under the direction of Dr. Virginia García-Entero (UNED). These works have already gained significant exposure in Spain, including broadcasts on RTVE and screenings at festivals such as TarracoViva and FICAB.
Additionally, the event will conclude with an on-site visit to several marble quarries in the area, including those in Vigaria (Lagoa) and Vila Viçosa. This tour will allow participants to closely observe an important marble production center from Roman Lusitania, which remains active today with a global distribution network.
The meeting will feature significant participation from members of the ICAC-CERCA, the IGME-CSIC, the CHAIA, the UNED, the URV, the UAB and the Universidade de Évora, offering a cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary perspective on the marble industry.
The round table on the marble industry will present scientific results to the public in a rigorous yet didactic way, emphasizing knowledge transfer activities between academia and local communities. This is especially relevant in areas where marble production remains an important source of economic, social, and cultural value, such as Vila Viçosa (Portugal).
The event is open to the public. Check out here the programme of the meeting. The organization benefits from the collaboration of the Centro de Estudos de Cultura, Historia, Artes e Patrimonio de la Plataforma Cultura e Creativa Central Alentejo, further strengthening the connection with the region.
About the Catalan Institute of Classical Archaeology (ICAC-CERCA)
The Catalan Institute of Classical Archaeology (ICAC-CERCA) is a CERCA center established as a consortium in 2003 by the Government of Catalonia and the Rovira i Virgili University. It is a Catalan institution with an international scope, at the forefront of research and conservation of archaeological heritage. Its headquarters are located in Tarragona, a city recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2000. Its researchers work to understand the past through the study of archaeological remains and promote the preservation of the historical legacy. We are CERCA!
For more information, visit www.icac.cat.
