Reporter Frederic Lavail documenting archaeological digs at Peyre Blanque

Fred Lavail is an independent French photo- and video- reporter who specializes in nature documentaries. 

He has notably collaborated with biologist Jerome Maran to document the life of tortoises and turtles from around the world with the ultimate objective to protect these animals (see 'Tortues du Monde' website).

But it is his passion for his native Pyrenees that brought him to Peyre Blanque. 

Interview with 'osseo-tech' Michelle Langley

Patrice Bonnafoux: Hi Michelle, lithic technology specialists are known as 'lithicists' so how do you call someone like you who is a specialist of antler, bone and ivory technology? 

Michelle Langley: Well, you might call us an 'osseous technologist' or perhaps an ‘osseo-tech’. As someone who also works on shell and wooden technology, I like to think of myself as an ‘organic technologist’. 

The Meaning of Archaeology - a student perspective

 (By Shelley Reece)


“What am I doing here?” 

This question, once voiced, gave everybody in Row 63 of the Western Sector a moment’s pause. 

Heads that had been bent in diligent archaeological silence raised tentatively, and glances were exchanged. 

There was no doubt that we were all asking ourselves this question, and inexplicably, we all began to giggle.

Amid the laughter, the questioner continued. 

Interview with Peyre Blanque Archaeological Project field-director John O'hara

Patrice Bonnafoux: John, in the last few years, you've become one of the main players of the Peyre Blanque Archaeological Project, how did you get involved?

John O'Hara: Back in 2011, I was a grad student at New York University (NYU) and was trying to formulate a research project for my dissertation, and came to the realization that the Magdalenian was the period I needed to work on to address the types of question I'm interested in. 

Site formation processes

In this video, Peyre Blanque Archaeological Project co-director Dr Kathleen Sterling explains the site formation processes to the 2015 field-school students.

Archaeology vs Conservation - a student experience

(By Jenna Hendrick)


This summer I had the opportunity of not only excavating at Peyre Blanque again, but joining the Centro di Conservazione Archeologica (CCA) in Sardinia, Italy to work on the conservation of the Mont’e Prama statues.

Interview of Rachel Kulick, the project micromorphologist

Patrice Bonnafoux: Hi Rachel, so you're the project micromorphologist, could you tell us what is micromorphology?

Rachel Kulick: Micromorphology is an approach to studying intact soil/sediment samples using microscopic techniques. 

The purpose is to identify the different soil/sediment parts and other contextual materials (like pieces of human-made tools -yes, it was not only the men, fragments of food, etc.) and to recognize the relationships between these components.

Protective structures

One striking feature of Peyre Blanque archaeological site is the protective structures (A.K.A 'super-structures') we set up above the excavations to protect both the units and the crew.

In 2014, 150 sq m were covered, but it has not always been like this...

Public Outreach

Visits to the site are common. And it is always a pleasure to explain our research and share our discoveries.

Local associations, such as Volvestre Patrimoine, follow our work with interest and pay us a visit every year.

Peyreblanque.org launching

There are still some rough edges but we're getting there.