Geoarchaeology and Archaeometry

For many years, CEREGE has been conducting research in geoarchaeology and archaeometry, drawing on its diversified teams and technical platforms. Interest in these areas has been particularly stimulated by the dating of Toumaï using cosmogenic isotopes on ASTER. Today, this research benefits from a wide range of cutting-edge tools in geochronology and physicochemical characterisation, applied to human fossils, artefacts and environments. This expertise enables CEREGE to cover a wide range of time periods, from the earliest hominids to historic times.

Geoarchaeology

The reconstruction of past environments, particularly during the Quaternary period, is a key theme that has brought together many of CEREGE's researchers since its creation in 1995. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the evolution of anthropised landscapes. Geoarchaeology, which complements environmental archaeology, focuses on the impacts of human activities beyond the sites of occupation, analysing their consequences on different spatio-temporal scales. Coastal and fluvial environments are particularly studied. 

Archaeometry

Archaeometry at CEREGE focuses on the physicochemical characterisation of human fossils, artefacts and the surrounding environment. Using advanced geochronology and physicochemical characterisation tools, archaeometry enables us to study periods ranging from the first hominids to the historical periods. The research carried out within this framework sheds valuable light on the living conditions and evolution of human and animal populations in the past, in response to environmental change.

Through this transverse axis, CEREGE's management intends to support the development of inter-team and inter-platform research projects in geoarchaeology and archaeometry. These actions will contribute to the recognition of the laboratory by academic and scientific institutions, thus consolidating its role in geoarchaeology and archaeometry research.