Laboratory for Traceology and Controlled Experiments
The TraCEr lab runs under the research umbrella of MONREPOS, namely, understanding the evolution of our behaviour during the early history of humanity. In Pleistocene Archaeology, interpreting artefact variability has long been one of the most debated topics. In fact, to what uses humans put their tools and how these might have varied through time and space is one of the key areas of research for understanding the evolution of human behaviour. The main scope of TraCEr is to carry out-breaking functional studies that combine 1) methodological development and 2) fundamental research on Pleistocene and Early Holocene archaeology.
Amenities & Further InformationZooLab
Contact
Dr. Lutz Kindler
Tel. 02631-977225 lutz.kindler@leiza.de
Dr. Elaine Turner
Tel. 02631-977219 elaine.turner@leiza.de
Osteological reference collection
The osteological reference collection in our zooarchaeology laboratory allows the comparative identification and age detemination of skeletal material from archaeological contexts. Emphasis is on recent and Pleistocene European faunas. Besides large mammals the collection also holds recent small mammal species.
A particular feature is the taphonomic collection. This contains comparative material for the differentiation of cut marks and impact fractures from naturally occurring surface modifications.
Library
Contact:
Heidrun Gräf
Tel. 0 2631-977216 heidrun.graef@leiza.de
Library Hours:
Mo-Thu 8 am - 5 pm, Fr 8 am - 12 noon
One of the largest Research Libraries for the Archaeology of Early Humans
The catalogue currently records almost 80,000 relevant titles and is constantly being updated to include new publications. Printed publications also include an extensive collection of copies and offprints and are complemented by the digitally accessible journal library.
Our library is a reference library. Publications may only be consulted at MONREPOS and by prior appointment.
Online-SearchAlmost 38,000 digitalised records.
These document our excavations, finds and research. Unique is the Heidelhof Collection containing more than 300 3D motifs of parietal art from French and Spanish cave localities. Our photographic archive is available for research and publication purposes.
Study Collection
4,800 Palaeolithic and Mesolithic artefacts from across the Old World.
Es sind Originale und hochwertige Kopien von Steingeräten und anderen Fundstücken aus den Restaurierungswerkstätten des LEIZA. Ein wichtiger Teil der Studiensammlung ist das Venusstatuetten-Archiv. Mit über 50 Statuetten ist es die weltweit größte Sammlung dieser Art.
Lithic Raw Material Reference Collection
Samples of over 230 rock types
The collection of lithic raw materials contains samples of the siliceous rocks used to manufacture tools in the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic. They help in the identification of the raw material of the archaeological finds.
Currently the collection contains samples of over 230 rock types from different sources, at the heart of which are those of Rhineland origin.
CalPal
The CalPal Program converts 14C dates into calendar years. The dates are calibrated against relevant palaeoenvironmental archives. Archaeology and environmental change can then be exactly correlated. It was a worldwide first when we succeeded in extending this back as far as 50,000 years ago. CalPal was developed with the University of Cologne in a cooperation going back many years and is today available as a free download or Online-Version.
Collegiate Rooms
Our collegiate rooms are available for guest researchers and students by previous appointment only. With three apartments, four single and three double rooms our collegiate rooms offer researchers ideal conditions for a successful residency.