This program, which addresses questions of paleopathology and paleoepidemiology, deals with the health status of populations in the past and as such represents an important federating area for the team. In particular, it addresses the estimation of the impact of infections (visible or invisible on the bone) on the general health of immatures, in collaboration with colleagues of the GENGLOBE team (Hommes-Microbes project). This component on immatures, started in 2021, runs until 2025.
Projects
In this project, we focus on the study of evolution from a functional perspective, specifically focusing on the biological and behavioral changes that made efficient starch metabolism possible.
This research project devoted to evolutionary approaches is essentially from a functional perspective. This is a major and very dynamic issue in paleoanthropology research at the international level. We will pursue the deployment of modelling, simulation and biomechanical analysis approaches, as well as genomic approaches (in particular in collaboration with the GENGLOBE team), developed in the framework of national and international collaborations.
In close collaboration with colleagues from the GENGLOBE team (project "History of human-microbe interactions"), this project will focus on reconstructing and better understanding ancient epidemics. Both diachronic (from the metal ages to contemporary populations) and on a large geographical scale, this project will open to a strong international development.
The patrimonialization of the VAB, as approached by the SHS (archaeology, social anthropology and law), questions in particular the conflicts of use and appropriation of these remains. The BONES team is a forerunner in these issues and has been involved in the implementation and management of the PAOHCE Project (working group on the implementation of protocols for sampling and analysis of human bones and on the conservation of samples) since 2020 thanks to Y. Ardagna.
Research on the estimation of the age of immature children is one of the strong identity markers of our team, and has given it international recognition for nearly 20 years. In a forensic context, the challenge is to make the decision of the Justice system more reliable in order to qualify a crime or a homicide (reaching the age of fetal viability, foeticide or neonaticide, justified choice of one method rather than another). In an archaeo-thanatological context, the challenge is to understand and interpret modes of burial or choices of burial sites according to age categories, and to be able to discuss the socio-cultural aspects of age-dependent funeral rites.
As a "forensic science", forensic anthropology must meet strict methodological constraints with regard to the stakes of the conclusions drawn. The reliability of the analytical processing chains of remains (skeletonized or not) which leads to the estimation of the biological profile presented in a court of law is part of it, and an interdisciplinary approach integrating the recent advances in the field of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning is able to bring significant progress.
The Collège Interdisciplinaire de Balistique Lésionnelle " CIBLé " brings together scientists, physicians, and forensic experts from the police and gendarmerie in order to study body trauma related to ballistic impacts. Several members of our team are involved and collaborate on "historical" case studies, as well as on expert appraisals of current judicial cases. A photographic atlas and a database are being created, and annual workshops are organized during national and international scientific events (French Society of Legal Medicine days, FASE symposium). A synthesis book is being prepared for publication by 2027.