Citizen science, experimental archaeology, and plant working (SAPEX)

Full title

Citizen science and experimental archaeology to enhance our knowledge of plant working over time (SAPEX)

Principal investigator

Sonja Tomasso & Dries Cnuts

Funding

ULiège

Years

2024-2025

Summary

The SAPEX project aims to launch an innovative approach driven by citizen science to deepen our understanding of plant exploitation throughout history. Plants have been pivotal to the survival of hunter-gatherer societies and remain vital today, serving as essential resources for food, as well as for the production of fibers, ropes, textiles, and construction materials. Despite their crucial role and versatility, plant exploitation has often been overshadowed by other research areas, such as hunting. The persistence of knowledge and skills related to plant use presents a prime opportunity to harness participatory research, fostering a novel interactive dynamic among ULiège students, TraceoLab and UR AAP researchers, local artisans, and international experts on plant work.

The project intends to assemble a mix of specialists and laypersons in a tangible experimental program aimed at several goals: (i) appreciating and exchanging the community's existing knowledge on plant work; (ii) acquainting specific individuals with the experimental methods employed in prehistoric studies; (iii) expanding the historical viewpoint within our modern society; and (iv) enhancing our understanding of how plants have been utilized over time. Positioned at TraceoLab, where research into plant work is currently flourishing, this initiative will foster a dedicated group to explore plant work across different periods, combining the expertise of TraceoLab and UR AAP researchers, students, and global experts. The project underscores the importance of collaborative, interdisciplinary exchange, enabling a diverse group to contribute their distinct skills, insights, and experiences, thereby enriching the research. This engaging approach aims to convert passive observers into active participants and democratize access to research findings.

The SAPEX project is subsidized with the support of the Project subsidized with the support of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters (SPUR grant).