Archaeological objects concern all material remains that relate to Man from Prehistoric to all Historical periods and that sometimes is necessary to unearth (tools, bones, pottery, weapons, coins, jewellery , clothing, prints, traces, paintings, buildings, infrastructure, etc.)..

The diversity of the materials encountered in archaeology, and the vast historical period concerned make the study of archaeological objects a multidisciplinary field.

In addition to the human sciences, the study of archaeological artefacts also uses diverse techniques from natural and earth sciences. It includes palynology, xylology-anthracology archaeozoology, botany, taphonomy as well as dating techniques: 14C, dendrochronology, thermoluminescence, etc.).
The panel of molecular and elemental techniques available at CARAA allows to characterize the materials used in these archaeological artefacts and opens therefore the door to opportunities for dating, conservation, restoration campaigns or authentication.

  • Artwork analyzed

Egyptian, Roman, Asian, African and Oriental archaeological artefacts (Pirvate Coll.), ceremonial and architectural Moche artefacts from Haca de la Luna (Peru), Ceremonial Precolombian items from the musée de l’Homme & Quai Branly, wreck from Sainte Marie de la mer (France), etc.

  • Examples of completed projects

Expertise of Artworks during the move from the Musée de l’Homme to the Quai Branly (1999-2001).
– Analyses of various archeological artefacts from the Precolombien site of Haca de la Luna (Perou, 10th. c.) Moche culture (2007-2009).

  • Publications

1) MetalloRaman. In Dossiers d’Archéologie, ‘Archéométrie, les sciences appliquées à l’archéologie’, 253, 60-61 (mai 2000).
2) PetroRaman et GemmoRaman. In Dossiers d’Archéologie, ‘Archéométrie, les sciences appliquées à l’archéologie’, 253, 54-59, (mai 2000).