This project deals with the archaeozoological, archaeobotanical and geoarchaeological analyses on sites from the Walloon Region with special emphasis on the following topics:

• reconstructions of the former environment, including the urban landscape, using an interdisciplinary approach including geology, pedology, palynology, anthracology, macrobotany and archaeozoology
• interdisciplinary reconstruction of former societies’ subsistence: acquisition, production, distribution and consumption of animal and plant resources
• subsistence strategies and consumption patterns as a marker of status during the medieval and post-medieval periods. Differences between consumers from secular, noble and religious settlements
• study of past agricultural practices using archaeological, bioarchaeological and pedological data
• the role of plants and animals in ritual and religion

Besides the research carried out in the lab, with the aid of the reference collections housed at the institute, the team assists the archaeologists during their fieldwork and sampling efforts.

Diffusion of results is done through publication in scientific journals and books, but also through publications and exhibits aimed at a wider, general audience. 

Related publications

• Chevalier A. & Bosquet D., 2013. Culture matérielle, exploitation du territoire et identités socio-culturelles rubanées en Belgique : analyses de microfossiles sur des instruments de mouture. In: Anderson P., Cheval C. I., Durand A. (eds), Regards croisés sur les outils liés au travail des végétaux / An interdisciplinary focus on plant-working tools, Eds ADPCA, Antibes, p. 145-160.
• Court-Picon M., Goffette Q., Preiss S. (sous presse). Arlon/Autelbas : consommation et modes de vie à l’abbaye de Clairefontaine d’après les restes biologiques des cuisines (13e-16e siècles), Chronique de l’Archéologie wallonne, 21.
• Goffette Q., Court-Picon M., Preiss S. (sous presse). Arlon/Autelbas : Etude des restes organiques des latrines de l’abbaye cistercienne de Clairefontaine (18e siècle). Chronique de l’Archéologie wallonne, 21.
• Groot M., Ervynck A. & Pigière F., 2010. Vagrant vultures: archaeological evidence for the cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) in the Low Countries. Proceedings of the 6th Bird Working Group (BWG) Meeting of the International Council for Archaeozoology (ICAZ), 23-27 augustus 2008, Groningen (Groningen Archaeological Studies, 12), p. 241-251.
• Pigière F., Boone I., Udrescu M., Van Neer W. & Vanpoucke S., 2004. Status as reflected in food refuse of late medieval noble and urban households at Namur (Belgium). In : O’day, S.J., Van Neer W. & Ervynck A. (eds.), Behaviour Behind Bones. The Zooarchaeology of Ritual, Religion, Status and Identity. Oxford, Oxbow Books, p. 233-243.
• Pigière F. & Henrotay D., 2012. Camels in the northern Provinces of the Roman Empire, Journal of Archaeological Science, 39, p. 1531-1539.
• Pigière F., Van Neer W., Ansieau C. & Denis M., 2012. New archaeozoological evidence for the introduction of the guinea pig to Europe, Journal of Archaeological Science, 39, p. 1020-1024.
• Van der Sloot P., Court-Picon M., Goffette Q. & Spagna P. 2013. Oupeye/Hermalle-sous-Argenteau : évaluation archéologique et étude géologique du lieu-dit « Au Buisson ». Chronique de l’archéologie wallonne, 20: 200-204.
• W. Van Neer, M. Udrescu and W. Wouters (2007) Namur/Namur: la faune mésolithique de l’ancienne Place Saint-Hilaire, Chronique de l’Archéologie Wallonne 14 : 180-181.
• Van Neer, W. & Wouters, W. (2010) Les restes de poissons des niveaux du paléolithique moyen et supérieur de la grotte Walou. In: Draily C., Pirson S., Toussaint M.  (eds) La grotte Walou à Trooz (Belgique). Bilan des recherches 1996 à 2004, (Etudes et Documents, Archéologie 21). Namur : 68-81.
• Vanpoucke S., Pigière F., Defgnee A. & Van Neer W., 2007. Pig husbandry and environmental conditions in Northern Gaul during Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages: the contribution of hypoplasia analysis, Archaeofauna, 16: 7-20.