Joan Prat i Carós, prominent Catalan anthropologist, dies at 79

Joan Prat i Carós, a prominent figure in Catalan anthropology and emeritus professor at Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), has died at the age of 79.

Prat was the founder of the Department of Anthropology, Philosophy, and Social Work at URV. Throughout his academic career, he published over 200 scientific articles and 20 books, including notable works such as ‘Els nous imaginaris culturals’ and ‘La seducció de l'antropologia’. His research focused on various fields, including popular religion, spirituality, sects, folklore, and the biographical method.

In addition to his teaching, he was a founding member of the Institut Català d'Antropologia and the Institut Tarragonès d'Antropologia, and served as the director of the academic journal Arxiu d'Etnografia de Catalunya. His contributions to science were recognized with several honors, including the Narcís Monturiol Medal from the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Medalla d'Honor of the Xarxa Vives d'Universitats.