The Fuerteventura Archaeological Museum is set to unveil its latest exhibition, 'Archaeology of Plants: A Look at the Vegetal Heritage of the Past', on 3 November at 19:00. The exhibition will be open to the public until 17 December 2026.
Comprising 14 informative panels, the exhibition delves into the practices of resource management and utilisation of the plant environment by pre-European indigenous communities in the Canary Islands. Through the study of charcoal, pollen, phytoliths, seeds, fruits, wooden objects, and plant fibres, the exhibition reveals how these inhabitants adapted to the island environment and transformed the landscape over time.
Research in Fuerteventura has highlighted the significant presence of thermophilic forests during the indigenous period, a landscape that has since been severely degraded by human activity. Unique testimonies of basketry and cordage crafted on the island are also documented, showcasing the knowledge and utilisation of natural resources by its ancient inhabitants.
The exhibition features microscopic photographs of charcoal and pollen, replicas of basketry and cordage techniques created by Canarian artisans, as well as original archaeological objects displayed in vitrines. This initiative aims to bring the public closer to a less visible archaeological record that is essential for understanding the historical relationship between human communities and their vegetal environment.
The opening will include a talk titled 'The Archaeology of Plants, What for?', which will kick off a series of conferences led by researchers from the Archaeobotany Laboratory at the University of La Laguna (ULL). Participants will include Dr Álvaro Castilla Beltrán, Dr Paloma Vidal Matutano, and Dr María Herrero Otal, who will discuss various aspects related to archaeobotany.
This initiative is funded by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, with support from the Government of the Canary Islands and the Cabildo of Fuerteventura. It is also part of the Science and Innovation Weeks in the Canary Islands, promoted by the Department of Universities, Science and Innovation and Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, through the Canarian Agency for Research, Innovation and Information Society (ACIISI).
