Permanent staff

Research interest

My expertise is in tropical archaeobotany, archaeology and ethnobotany, with a large experience in data collection (>70 excavations mostly in Africa). My research projects focus on plant domestication and aim to reconstruct the evolution of food and beverage systems, including both production and consumption. By studying the evolution of agricultural and food systems, my research aims to: 

(i) capture the production and consumption practices, including crop taxa, post-harvesting and cooking/brewing techniques, that proved to be resilient, locally adapted and able to sustain large complex societies,

(ii) capture the adaptation and innovation processes to past climate/environmental changes and social, cultural, economic and political shifts, in order to develop recommendations regarding our present and future challenges and arm development actors with a vision of the long term, while enhancing a local heritage usually not explored enough,

(iii) train students and actors from southern countries in the analysis of archaeobotanical remains and the analysis of ancient and present farming practices,

(iv) contribute to the ownership of rural, remote populations of their History in the long term. I'm convinced that, by reconciling African societies with their age-old agricultural and food heritage, they will truly be able to reconnect with a heritage of sharing and abundance.

Projects' area: West Africa (Benin, Mali, Ghana and Senegal), East Africa (Uganda, Madagascar, Zanzibar, and Comoros), Central Africa (DR Congo, PR Congo and Cameroun) and in Asia (Myanmar, Bangladesh and Thailand). Considered as a field specialist, I try to contribute to filling the (huge) gaps of data in the most remote areas, by conducting excavations with national teams and students.

Education

- Master in Art History and Archaeology, University of Brussels (ULB), Belgium, 2011

- Master in Prehistory, Protohistory and Paleoenvironment of Africa and the Mediterranean, University Montpellier 3, France, 2013

- PhD archaeobotanist, Institue of Archaeology at University College of London, UK, 2020

- Postdoctoral studies in archaeobotany, Goethe Universitat Frankfurt, Germany, 2019-2020

- Postdoctoral studies in archaeo and ethnobotany, University of Geneva, Switzerland, 2020-2022

Projects

ONGOING

2022-present: IRD Cameroun, Archaeobotanist for the preventive archaeology program at the Nachtigal Amont hydroelectric site, 60 km north of Yaoundé, was carried out by a Franco-Cameroonian IRD team of archaeologists from 2019 to 2022.

2021-present: DRC Congo, scientific collaborator in the ERC BANTURIVERS project directed by Birgit Ricquier (Université Libre de Bruxelles) in association with the universities of Kisangani and Lubumbashi. "At the crossroads of Bantu expansions: the riparian communities of the Congo Basin in the present and the past, from a linguistic, anthropological and archaeological point of view".

2020-present: British Institute in Eastern Africa/ Cambridge University, Archaeobotanist to study the Meroe site in Sudan (PI: Jane Humphris)

2019-present: Frobenius-institut (Goethe Universitat, Frankfurt am Main, Germany) Collaborator/Archaeobotanist for the project "Groningen-Frankfurt Millets Network" (PI: Roland Hardenberg)

2018-present: University of Geneva, Department of Genetics and Evolution, Anthropology Unit, Switzerland Associate Researcher: Archaeobotanist, Ethnologist, Ethnobotanist and Archaeologist.

2017-present: Frobenius-institut (Goethe Universitat, Frankfurt am Main, Germany) Collaborator/Archaeobotanist for the Volkswagen Foundation funded project: "Markadugu, The relationship of urbanism and trade to state power in the Segou region of Mali" (PI: Dr Nick Gestrich)

2014-present: French Archaeological Mission to Myanmar (MAFM, Director: Oliver Pryce (CNRS, UMR7055, France) Associate Researcher: Archaeobotanist, Ethnologist, Ethnobotanist and Archaeologist & Assistant Ceramologist.

2010-present: Royal Museum for Central Africa, Dept. of Human science, service of Heritage studies, section prehistory and archaeology, (RMCA, Tervuren, Belgium). Associate researcher: Archaeobotanist, Ethnologist, Ethnobotanist and Archaeologist & Assistant Ceramologist.

PAST PROJECTS

2016-2019: Institute of archaeology, University College of London (UCL, England). Research Associate: Archaeobotanist, Ethnologist, Ethnobotanist and Archaeologist & Assistant Ceramologist for the NERC project: 'The impact of intensification and deintensification of Asian rice production: transitions between wet and dry ecologies' (NE/N010957/1, PI: Dorian Fuller).

2013-2018: Institute of archaeology, University College of London (UCL, England).Research Associate: Archaeobotanist, Ethnologist, Ethnobotanist and Archaeologist & Assistant Ceramologist for the ERC project: "Comparative Pathways to Agriculture 'ComPAg'" (ERC grant no. 323842, PI: Dorian Q. Fuller)

2013-2016: Institute of archaeology, University College of London (UCL, England). Research Associate: Archaeobotanist, Ethnologist, Ethnobotanist and Archaeologist & Assistant Ceramologist for the NERC project: "The impact of evolving rice systems from China to Southeast Asia (NE/K003402/1, PI: Dorian Fuller)

2012-2013: University of East Anglia, Sainsbury Centre For Visual Arts (UEA, Norwich, England) Assistant Ceramologist for the ERC project 'Crossroads of Empires' (ERC grant no. 263747, PI: Anne Haour)

2011: Service Public de Wallonie, Service de l'archéologie (SPW, Belgium) Assistant Ceramologist Walhain / Tourinnes Saint-Lambert (Gallo-Roman site), Director: F. Hannut and D. Bosquet.

2011: Assistant Ceramologist "Rocher du Causes" (Neolithic site in Claret, France). Director: G. Escallon (INRAP).

Publications

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

Champion, L., Höhn, A., Neumann, K., Franke, G., Breunig, P. (2022) Pearl millet and little else. Archaeobotanical evidence of plant food consumption at Nok culture sites, Nigeria (2nd/1st millennium BC). Vegetation History and archaeobotany.

Daraojimba, K. C., Babalola, A. B., Brittain, M., Adeyemo, E., Champion, L., Shaw, P. J. S., & Sulas, F. (2022) Expanding space and time at Igbo-Ukwu: insights from recent fieldwork. African Archaeological Review, 1-23.

Bellina, B., Petchey, P., Shoocongdej, R., Pradier, B., Favereau, A., Innanchai, J., Castillo, C., Champion, L., Khaokhiew, C., and Hrysiewicz, B. (2022). "Wang Duan: Upper Thai-Malay Peninsula Coastal Groups during the Early and Late Neolithic Period." Archaeological Research in Asia 30 (April).

Dunne, J., Höhn, A., Neumann, K., Franke, G., Breunig, P., Champion, L., Gillard, T., · Walton-Doyle, C., & Evershed, R. P. (2022) Making the invisible visible: tracing the origins of plants in West African cuisine through archaeobotanical and organic residue analysis. Archaeological and anthropological sciences, 14(1), 30.

Champion, L., Gestrich, N., MacDonald, K., Nieblas-Ramirez, L., & Fuller, D. Q. (2021) Pearl millet and iron in the West African Sahel: Archaeobotanical investigation at Tongo Maaré Diabal, Mali. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 39, 103-110.

Champion, L., Fuller, D. Q., Ozainne, S., Huysecom, É., & Mayor, A. (2021) Agricultural diversification in West Africa: an archaeobotanical study of the site of Sadia (Dogon Country, Mali). Archaeological and anthropological sciences, 13(4), 1-21.

Gestrich, N., Champion, L., Keïta, D., Coulibaly, N., & Fuller, D. Q. (2021). Evidence of an Eleventh-Century AD Cola Nitida Trade into the Middle Niger Region. African Archaeological Review, 38(3), 403-418.

Matonda, I., Mambu, C., Futa, L., Nikis, N., Champion, L., Cornelissen, E., Livingstone Smith, A. (2021) Premières prospections archéologiques à l'embouchure du fleuve Congo (RDC) (Septembre 2015 et Janvier 2016) .Nyame Akuma, 96 :11-19

Fuller, D. Q., Barron, A., Champion, L., Dupuy, C., Commelin, D., Raimbault, M., & Denham, T. (2021) Transition from wild to domesticated pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) revealed in ceramic temper at three Middle Holocene sites in Northern Mali. African Archaeological Review, 38(2), 211-230.

Barron, A., Fuller, D. Q., Stevens, C., Champion, L., Winchell, F., & Denham, T. (2020) Snapshots in time: MicroCT scanning of pottery sherds determines early domestication of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in East Africa. Journal of Archaeological Science, 123, 105-259.

Styring, A.K., Diop, A.M., Bogaard, A., Champion, L., Fuller, D.Q., Gestrich, N., Macdonald, K.C. and Neumann, K. (2019) Nitrogen isotope values of Pennisetum glaucum (pearl millet) grains: towards a reconstruction of past cultivation conditions in the Sahel, West Africa. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 28(6), pp.663-678.

Rahman, M., Murphy, C., Weisskopf, A., Champion, L., Castillo, C. and Fuller, D. (2019). Wari-Bateshwar and Vikrampura: Successful Case Studies in Archaeobotany, Bangladesh. Man and Environment, 44(1).

Kay, A.U., Fuller, D.Q., Neumann, K., Eichhorn, B., Höhn, A., Morin-Rivat, J., Champion, L., Linseele, V., Huysecom, E., Ozainne, S. and Lespez, L. (2019). Diversification, intensification and specialization: Changing land use in western Africa from 1800 BC to AD 1500. Journal of World Prehistory, 32(2), pp.179-228.

Champion, L. and Fuller, D.Q. (2018). New evidence on the development of millet and rice economies in the Niger River Basin: Archaeobotanical results from Benin. In Plants and People in the African Past (pp. 529-547). Springer, Cham.

Pryce, T.O., Kyaw, A.A., Kyaw, M.M., Win, T.T., Win, T.T., Win, K.H., Mon, M.M., Aye, M.M., Htay, S.H., Mar, A.A., Champion, L.and Bellina, B. (2018). A first absolute chronology for Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age Myanmar: new AMS 14 C dates from Nyaung'gan and Oakaie. antiquity, 92(363), pp.690-708.

Favereau, A., Pryce, T.O., Win, T.T., Champion, L., Win, T.T, Myat Htwe, K.M. A.A., Pradier B.,, and Willis A. (2018) "Étude Du Mobilier Céramique De Deux Cimetières De La Fin Du Deuxième Au Début Du Premier Millénaire Avant Notre ère En Haute Birmanie: Technologie, Typologie Et Chronologie." Bulletin De L'École Française D'Extrême-Orient 104 (2018): 33-62.

Champion L., Arazi, N., Mambu, C, Lumumbwa Luna, O., Nikis, N., Cornelissen, E & Livingstone Smith, A. (2017) Histoire et Archéologie du Maniema (RDC) : Mission dans la région de Kindu et Kasongo. Nyame Akuma

Winchell F., Stevens C., Murphy C., Champion L., Fuller D.Q. (2017) Evidence for sorghum domestication in Fourth Millennium BC eastern Sudan: spikelet morphology from ceramic impressions of the Butana Group. Current Anthropology. 

Pryce O.T., Kyaw A.A, Andia L., Champion L., Colonna C., Favereau A., Myat K., Htwe M., Peixoto X., Pradier B., Willis A., Valentin F., Zazzo A. (2015) Dating The Myanmar Bronze Age: Preliminary 14c Dates From the Oakaie 1 Cemetery Near Nyaung'gan. Journal Of Indo-Pacific Archaeology 39: 38-49

Robion-Brunner C., A. Haour, M.-P. Coustures, L. Champion & D. Béziat., 2015. Iron Production in Northern Benin: Excavations at Kompa Moussékoubou. Journal of African Archaeology, Volume 13 (1).

Nikis N., Champion L. (2014) Fouilles, prospections, et prélèvements archéobotaniques dans les zones cuprifères de Mindouli et Boko-Songho en République du Congo, Nyame Akuma N°82, pages 73-83.

Champion L., Haour A. (2013) Le Site de TinTin Kanza, Nord-Bénin, Hiver 2013: Une Étude Préliminaire du Matériel Céramique du Sondage I, Nyame Akuma N°79.

OTHER ARTICLES

Mayor, A., Douze, K., Pruvost, C., Bocoum, H., Cervera, C., Champion, L., ... & Huysecom, É. (2022) Dynamiques techniques de l'Acheuléen à la période des Grands Empires dans la vallée de la Falémé, Sénégal: résultats de la 24ème année du programme «Peuplement humain et paléoenvironnement en Afrique». SLSA Jahresbericht 2021, 77-149

Mayor, A., Douze, K., Bocoum, H., Cervera, C., Champion, L., Chiquet, P. A., ... & Walmsley, A. (2021). Évolutions techniques sur la longue durée dans la Falémé: résultats de la 23ème année du programme «Peuplement humain et paléoenvironnement en Afrique». SLSA Jahresbericht 2020, 149-218.

Mayor, A., Douze, K., Bocoum, H., Cervera, C., Champion, L., Glauser, D., Guindo, N., Kassogué, G., Ndiaye, M., Rasse, M. and Traoré, B., (2020). Archéologie dans la Falémé (Sénégal oriental): résultats de la 22ème année du programme «Peuplement humain et paléoenvironnement en Afrique». SLSA Annual report 2019, pp.197-224.

Mayor, A., Douze, K., Aymeric, J., Bocoum, H., Cantin, N., Cervera, C., Champion, L., Chiquet, P., Davidoux, S., Garnier, A. and Hajdas, I., (2019). Archéologie et environnements au Sénégal oriental: résultats de la 21ème année du programme international «Peuplement humain et paléoenvironnement en Afrique». Jahresbericht SLSA, 2018, pp.185-266.

Mayor, A., Douze, K., Lorenzo Martinez, M., Truffa Giachet, M., Nsangou, A., De Limbepe, J., Bocoum, H., Champion, L., Cervera, C., Davidoux, S. and Garnier, A., (2018). Dynamiques techniques et environnementales dans la vallée de la Falémé (Sénégal): résultats de la 20ème campagne du programme «Peuplement humain et paléoenvironnement en Afrique». SLSA Annual report 2017, pp.157-256.

Bosquet D., Timmermans J., Champion L. (2013), Ittre/Virginal-Samme : évaluation à la rue de Samme 20. Namur, Chronique de l'Archéologie Wallonne, 20.

Bosquet D., Champion L. (2013), «Waterloo/Waterloo: évaluation avenue Commandant Lachouque. Namur, Chronique de l'Archéologie Wallonne, 20.

Bosquet D., Champion L. (2013), Grez-Doiceau/Grez-Doiceau : sondage dans le site Michelsberg du Bois de Laurensart. Namur, Chronique de l'Archéologie Wallonne, 20.

Bosquet D., Champion L. Nikis N. (2013), Villers-la-Ville/Tilly: sondage en bordure d'un tumulus arasé à la drève du Tumulus. Namur, Chronique de l'Archéologie Wallonne, 20.

Bosquet D., Champion L.Nikis N. (2013), Nivelles/Nivelles : sondage dans la station du Pécrot, rue de l'Escavée. Namur, Chronique de l'Archéologie Wallonne, 20.

Bosquet D., Champion L. (2012), Chaumont-Gistoux/Chaumont-Gistoux : sondage archéologique à proximité du site Michelsberg des « Bruyères », Namur, Chronique de l'Archéologie Wallonne, 19.

Bosquet D., Champion L. (2012), Nivelles/Thines: évaluation sur le site de la « Vieille Cour », Namur, Chronique de l'Archéologie Wallonne, 19.

Bosquet D., Hannut F & Champion L. (2012), Walhain / Tourinnes Saint-Lambert: Fouilles de sauvetage sur le vicus de Tourinnes Saint-Lambert à l'occasion de l'élargissement de la N243a, Namur, Chronique de l'Archéologie Wallonne, 19.

Bosquet D., Hannut F., Champion L., (2011) de sauvetage dans le vicus de Walhain / Tourinnes-Saint-Lambert : les travaux d'élargissement de la N243a, Journée d'Archéologie Romaine-Romeinendag, Bruxelles, Musées Royaux d'art et d'Histoire, p. 7-16.

BOOK CHAPTERS

Champion, L., and Fuller, DQ. (2019). Archaeobotany: Methods and Themes. The Oxford Encyclopedia of African Histories: Methods, Sources, and Historiographies. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Fuller, D.Q., Champion, L. & Stevens, C.J. (2019). Comparing the tempo of cereal dispersal and the agricultural transition: two African and one West Asian trajectory. In B. Eichhorn & A. Höhn, eds. Trees, Grasses and Crops. People and Plants in Sub-Saharan Africa and Beyond. Bonn: Verlag Dr. Rudolf Habelt, Bonn, pp. 119-140.

Champion L, Fuller DQ. (2018) Archaeobotanical Analysis. Agricultural Diversification and change in the Niger Valley.  Chapter In: Haour A, Reynolds F (ed.) Birnin Lafiya: 2000 years in a Dendi Village. Journal of African Archaeology Monograph series. Africa Magna Verlag.

Champion, L. & Haour, A., (2018). Tin Tin Kanza, TTK-13-SI. In A. Haour, ed. Two Thousand Years in Dendi, Northern Benin. Archaeology, History and Memory. Journal of African Archaeology Monograph Series. Leiden: Brill, pp. 340-354.

Champion, L., (2018). Kantoro. In A. Haour, ed. Two Thousand Years in Dendi, Northern Benin. Archaeology, History and Memory. Journal of African Archaeology Monograph Series. Leiden: Brill, pp. 551-574.

Champion, L. & Filippini, A., (2018). Kantoro (KRO-14-SI). In A. Haour, ed. Two Thousand Years in Dendi, Northern Benin. Archaeology, History and Memory. Journal of African Archaeology Monograph Series. Leiden: Brill, pp. 552-566.

Champion, L. & Haour, A., (2018). Kantoro (KRO-14-SII). In A. Haour, ed. Two Thousand Years in Dendi, Northern Benin. Archaeology, History and Memory. Journal of African Archaeology Monograph Series. Leiden: Brill, pp. 567-574.

Champion L, (2018) TondoWindi, TOW-14-SI. In A. Haour, ed. Two Thousand Years in Dendi, Northern Benin. Archaeology, History and Memory. Journal of African Archaeology Monograph Series. Leiden: Brill, pp.574-579

Livingstone Smith, A., Nikis, N., Champion, L., et al., (2018) Stratigraphy and Dating: Excavation Units and Associated Dates. In A. Haour, ed. Two Thousand Years in Dendi, Northern Benin. Archaeology, History and Memory. Journal of African Archaeology Monograph Series. Leiden: Brill, pp. 132-138.

Livingstone Smith, A., Nikis, N., Champion, L., et al., (2018). Birnin Lafiya (S5). In A. Haour, ed. Two Thousand Years in Dendi, Northern Benin. Archaeology, History and Memory. Journal of African Archaeology Monograph Series. Leyden: Brill, pp. 450-459.

Livingstone Smith, A., Nikis, N., Champion, L., et al., (2018) Madekali. In A. Haour, ed. Two Thousand Years in Dendi, Northern Benin. Archaeology, History and Memory. Journal of African Archaeology Monograph Series. Leiden: Brill.

MacDonald, K.C., Champion, L. & Manning, K., (2017). Windé Koroji Ouest (Mali, Second and Third Millennia BCE): The Environmental and Subsistence Evidence. In N. Rupp et al., eds. Winds of Change: Archaeological Contributions in Honour of Peter Breunig. Bonn: Verlag Dr. Rudolf Habelt, Bonn, pp. 165-18