Interdisciplinary action

The aim of this project is to develop an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the impact of man on mountain environments, around the Jujal wetland and Lac Profond in the commune of Orcières, in the Ecrins massif (alt. 2100-2400 m, Hautes-Alpes). The aim is to exploit paleoecological and archaeological data never before available in the Haut Champsaur. Paleoecological data (palynology, geomorphology, paleoentomology and pedoanthracology) will be correlated with the contribution of archaeological sites identified during a high-altitude pedestrian survey. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the impact of human activities on mountain ecosystems, and to propose an interdisciplinary approach on the scale of the European Alps.

This project follows on from a program of partial archaeological survey and study of the Cistercian Abbey of Sénanque, carried out in 2023-2021 as part of restoration work. This work, which had highlighted the potential of an archaeological analysis of the building based on a stone-by-stone survey combining both manual and digital approaches, had enabled us to characterize in detail the organization of the building site, from stone-cutting to implementation, and to specify the progress of the work well beyond the achievements of previous research. The study of the cloister will be based on an interdisciplinary interaction of further archaeological analysis of the building, geological analysis of the building stones, particularly those selected for the sculpture, and a new detailed study of the latter, already initiated in the context of a colloquium paper, which constitutes the most elaborate ensemble in the field of Cistercian monumental decoration in southeastern France today.

Partner(s):

• Montpellier Center for Medieval Studies

Archaeological data from excavations at Cap des Tamaris and Cap de l'Arquet have enabled us to reconstruct precise plans of Gallic villages perched atop these cliffs. Ancient and recent archaeological data indicate that the cliffs at Cap de l'Arquet were ablated by between 2 and 6 metres in 2600 years. These values are 2 to 3 times higher than the erosion rates calculated in J. Giuliano's thesis (2015). However, he proposes two different methodological approaches, on two time scales, one centennial using image processing, the other millennial using cosmonuclide (36Cl) surface denudation dating. Both methods produce the same maximum average erosion rate (1mm.yr-1). However, these values are not compatible with archaeological data. We propose to integrate archaeological data into the consideration of cliff erosion rates. But also to integrate underwater morphology and recent Holocene variations in sea level into the understanding of erosion mechanisms.

Partner(s):

• Martigues Archaeological Department

This interdisciplinary project is part of a programmed archaeological operation on an ancient burial site in the mountains of Val d'Allos (04). The aim is to carry out pedoanthracological sampling outside the archaeological context, in order to supplement the paleoenvironmental data provided by the analysis of charcoal collected in the archaeological context. Pedoanthracology applies to wood charcoal buried naturally in soils following vegetation fires of natural or anthropogenic origin. The high spatial resolution of these data makes it possible to reconstruct the vegetation environment around archaeological sites. The comparison of anthracological, archaeological and historical data on the same site enables us to refine our knowledge of the surrounding vegetation and the consequences of human activities on its evolution over the last millennia (structural, specific and functional biodiversity).

Based on the case of the Orange theater, we propose to develop non-destructive techniques for identifying the quarries that were the source of ancient building materials, such as in-situ chemical analysis and physical measurements on the building and in the quarries, and also to consider ways of locating ancient quarries in a context where human activity and urban planning have most likely caused them to disappear. In addition to the application of earth science methods, we'll be looking at the economics of the construction site.

Partner(s):

• Interdisciplinary Center for Heritage Conservation and Restoration (CICRP - Marseille)
• Study Group on Geomaterials and Anthropized Environments (GEGENAA - Reims)

This project combines petrography, geochemistry, dendrology and archaeology, with the aim of reconstructing the last route taken by the Paržine-Ilovik sailing ship. The ballast will be studied and sampled in situ, then analyzed in the laboratory. The results will be compared with those obtained from petrographic analysis of the amphorae and dendrological analysis of the hull wood, log loading and dunnage.

During the restitution phase, the positioning of the ballast and the evaluation of the volume occupied in the hold will enable us to complete the hydrostatic study of the ship and propose hypotheses as to its trim before sinking.

Partner(s):

• Università degli Studi di Genova

The aim of this Research project is to find the best parameters for using 3D microtomography on different parts of the skeleton of two small fish species. The production of 3D images of each skeletal element will enable interactive exploration in an osteological repository dedicated to fish. The technique used offers image resolution fine enough to allow easy reading of fish age and season of capture.

Excavation of the cemetery of the medieval abbey of Saint-Pierre de l'Almanarre (Hyères) has revealed several vaults built between 1220 and the last decades of the 14th century. We propose a global study of this particular type of burial, including an architectural approach and 3D photogrammetry in the field, the use of excavation archives for vaults excavated in the past, and an exhaustive anthropological study of the individuals.

Trial cosmogenic nuclide pair dating (10Be+26Al) of the archaeo-paleontological sequence from Lunel-Viel cave no. 1, a site dated to the 2nd half of the Middle Pleistocene by faunal fossil remains (relative age). Chronological precision is essential to better understand the fossil fill, refine comparisons with West European sites and better define and compare human activities (socio-economic sense and technology of the ante-Neanderthals) in this cave.