The municipality of Camargo has announced a series of three experimental archaeology workshops under the 'Camargo Milenario' initiative, which showcases the documentary history of the area over the past thousand years. These workshops are designed to engage participants with the historical heritage of Camargo through hands-on experiences in rock engraving, Roman mosaic creation, and medieval writing.
The workshops will take place on Fridays: 30 October, 27 November, and 18 December, with two sessions each day from 18:00 to 19:00 and 19:00 to 20:00. They are open to participants aged eight and older, provided they are accompanied by an adult. Interested individuals can obtain more information and register by emailing camargoexposicion@gmail.com.
Workshop details
The first workshop, titled 'Arte rupestre en acción: Taller de grabado lítico', will commence on 30 October. It draws inspiration from the prehistoric caves of Camargo and aims to teach participants the techniques of rock engraving using tools inspired by those from prehistoric times.
On 27 November, the focus will shift to 'El taller del musivario: Elaboración de mosaicos romanos', where attendees will explore the Roman heritage of the municipality, particularly the archaeological remains in Maliaño. Participants will learn about the art of mosaic-making and use small tiles to create their own compositions.
The series will conclude on 18 December with 'Scriptorium medieval: El arte de la escritura', a workshop that connects to the documents that began chronicling Camargo's history a millennium ago. Participants will discover the work of ancient scribes, create traditional inks, and practice writing with historical instruments.
About the exhibition
The workshops complement the educational offerings of the 'Camargo Milenario' exhibition, which is open for visits until 31 December, Monday to Friday, from 17:00 to 21:00 at the 'Ana Bolado' room in the La Vidriera Cultural Centre. The exhibition traces the evolution of the municipality from its earliest known written reference in 1025 to the present day.
Spanning 200 square metres, visitors can explore twenty episodes that detail the economic, social, and territorial development of Camargo. The exhibition is structured around 20 totems and 40 display points featuring historical documents, maps, engravings, photographs, and audiovisual materials, all compiled through research by Enrique Gutiérrez Cuenca, a doctor from the University of Cantabria.
The starting point is the year 1025, marked by the first known written reference to the area in the will of Eylo, a woman who bequeathed her properties in Igollo to the abbey of Santa Juliana. From this document, preserved in the Book of Rule of Santa Juliana, the exhibition delves into the organisation of medieval villages, the origins of the name Real Valle de Camargo, and the activities that shaped the lives of its inhabitants.
Among the notable chapters is the historical connection between Guarnizo and Camargo, particularly its contribution to shipbuilding. Nine galleons constructed in its shipyards participated in the 1588 Armada Invencible expedition, along with vessels like the Real Felipe and the San Juan Nepomuceno.
The exhibition also highlights the municipality's role in one of the early attempts to establish the Province of Cantabria in 1754, as well as aspects of daily life such as wine production, the introduction of maize, and the development of livestock farming. Other significant topics include mining and industrialisation, from the exploitation of modern iron mines in Maliaño around 1850 to the establishment of factories like La Covadonga, Cros, Productos Dolomíticos, and Standard Eléctrica.
This historical journey also addresses the 1902 mining disaster, the 1931 attempt to segregate Maliaño, the arrival of the railway, the inauguration of Parayas Airport in 1953, and the industrial reconversion of the 1970s and 1980s. The eight villages within the municipality feature dedicated spaces that provide insights into their former names, the organisation of their inhabitants, and their primary economic activities.
Additionally, the exhibition includes a symbolic recreation of El Ferial, the path taken by livestock farmers to transport their cattle to fairs, with trees where visitors can leave messages and contribute their own input to the display. Alongside the free visits, guided group tours are available and can be arranged via the same email address, camargoexposicion@gmail.com.
