Lucas Tauriac

Research Interests

During my master’s thesis I studied the dental remains of presumed enslaved individuals buried in Anse Bellay cemetery, an archaeological site from the colonial period on the island of Martinique (Anses-d’Arlet, 18th century). The main objective of my study was to better understand the identity of the individuals buried in this cemetery, particularly concerning the degree of homogeneity within the group and their population affinities.

This project allowed me to gain experience in various methods within the field of dental anthropology: dental non-metric traits, dental measurements, paleopathology, macrowear, intentional modifications.           

I have currently started a doctoral thesis, funded by the GPR Human Past, to continue this research project on slave cemeteries in the Lesser Antilles, on a greater scale. I will be studying the dental remains of four colonial cemeteries from Guadeloupe and Martinique, in order to shed light on certain aspects of the history of these enslaved people. I will be using a broad specter of non-destructive methods, combining both physical and 3D imaging studies of dental remains, to document and discuss various aspects of their biological identities, health and nutrition.

The results of my study will be part of a larger multidisciplinary research program (PCR MIRESC), including specialists in paleogenomics, isotopy, archaeothanatology, paleopathology, archaeology and history.

Curriculum Vitae

Current Position

October 2026 : PhD student in Biological Anthropology – GPR Human Past

                            Université de Bordeaux - UMR 5199 PACEA

                            Supervisors : Priscilla Bayle and Sacha Kacki

Education

2022-2024    Master’s degree in Biological Anthropology

                       University of Bordeaux

2019-2022    Bachelor in Archaeology

                       University of Toulouse II Jean Jaurès

2012-2017   Degree in Dentistry

                      University Alfonso X el Sabio, Madrid

Professional Work Experience

Field Laboratory

2024 – 2026:               Contractual research engineer in archaeological anthropology and 3D imaging – UMR 5199 PACEA

Jan. 2024 – May 2024:        Master’s thesis internship in dental anthropology – UMR 5199 PACEA

                                         Supervisors: Priscilla Bayle, Sacha Kacki and Thomas Romon

Sept. 2015 – June 2017:      Dental school active internship

Archaeological Fieldwork Experience

• May 2023: Field school on the funerary site of Tartes (Landes, France)

Director: Stéphane Rottier (University of Bordeaux, UMR 5199 PACEA)

• July 2022: Archaeological dig on the antique and medieval city wall of Toulouse (France)

Director: Bastien Lefebvre (DRAC Occitanie, Service régional de l’archéologie)

• July 2021: Archaeological dig on the Aurignacian campsite of Régismont-le-Haut (Hérault, France)

Directors: François Bon (University of Toulouse II Jean Jaurès, UMR 5608 TRACES) and Romain Mensan (UMR 5608 TRACES)  

Technical Skills

Dental anthropology: metric and non-metric traits, paleopathology, macrowear, cultural modifications.

2D and 3D image visualization, processing and analysis (Avizo, ImageJ)

Database management