GEOSCIENCE LABORATORIES:
GEOAZUR / LSCE / EDYTEM / LIENSs / CEREGE: P. Brigode is a specialist in fluvial flow reconstitution. We will combine a multi-proxy approach with hydro-climatic models to quantitatively address questions of climate-monsoon and environmental factors of paleohydrology change. The modelling will be coordinated by M. Kageyama and P. Braconnot, internationally renowned experts of paleoclimate and proxy-enabled modelling. In geoscience, we will benefit from the expertise of E. Chaumillon (LIENSs, Responsable of Master Géosciences et Géophysique du Littoral) & F. Arnaud (EDYTEM). F. Arnaud is one of the leading researchers in lake sediment studies, he will bring his renowned expertise in lake sediment coring (leader of the “continent” workpackage within CLIMCOR national equipment of excellence project). E. Chaumillon and S. Migeon have long experience in seismic surveys. The CEREGE (Aix-en-Provence) has a long tradition of research in intertropical Africa, particularly in Ethiopia and Djibouti. F. Chalié is an expert of micropaleontological proxies and quantification by transfer functions. She is a pioneer in the innovative use of experimentation on cultures to define the autoecology of diatoms to reconstruct past seasonal variations in hydrology. F. Sylvestre is an expert in diatom taxonomy, diatom-inferred hydrology, and diatom oxygen isotope proxies. She has a great deal of experience in tropical paleoclimatology working in Central & Western Africa, and Lake Chad.
INORGANIC and ORGANIC ANALYSES: M. Revel (Geoazur), N. Vigier (LOV), G. Ménot (ENS) and J. Jacob (LSCE) are internationally recognized researchers of paleoclimate who have developed innovative proxies in sediment archives with the field of Lithium and Neodynium isotope development, molecular biomarkers and their isotopic compositions, respectively.
ARCHAELOGY and GEOMORPHOLOGY LABORATORIES:
CEPAM / TRACES / CFEE / MNHN: L. Khalidi, L. Purdue, G. Davtian, M. Gabriele (CEPAM), J. Cauliez, F. Bon, L. Coudert (TRACES), L. Bruxelles (TRACES/INRAP), J. Lesur (MNHN) and C. Ménard (CFEE) have extensive experience in archaeological excavations, geoarchaeology and geomorphological surveys. The multidisciplinary NILAFAR project is largely based on previous work of three complementary archaeological programs in the Afar and the Central Rift Valley (VAPOR-Afar, PSPCA and LSA Sequence). L. Khalidi currently directs the VAPOR-Afar program in the Ethiopian Afar. J. Cauliez currently directs the PSPCA program in the Djibouti Afar. C. Ménard directs the LSA Sequence program.
International laboratories and institutes:
Fieldwork is conducted in long-standing close collaboration with local institutions and individuals (ARCCH, ABTC, CFEE in Ethiopia; CERD, IST and IRAH in Djibouti) and with the official authorizations of these countries. Artifacts collected in Ethiopia are housed at the National Museum in Addis Ababa, while archaeological samples for dating acquire export licenses granted by the ARCCH. Fieldwork in Ethiopia will be carried out in collaboration with the CFEE in Addis Ababa and with the authorization and support of colleagues from the Ethiopian ARCCH and the Afar Bureau of Tourism & Culture. Fieldwork in archeology and paleoclimate in Djibouti is carried out with the CERD (Centre d'Etude et de Recherche de Djibouti directed by Jalludin Mohamed) and IRAH and in the context of the ORREC (Observatoire Régional de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Climat).
