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Les massifs de l’Argentièrois du Mésolithique au début de l’Antiquité: au croisement des données archéologiques et paléoenvironnementales en haute montagne (Hautes-Alpes, parc national des Ecrins)
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RBINS Staff Publications
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Les Ecrins : un territoire d’altitude dans le context des Alpes occidentales de la Préhistoire récente à l’âge du Bronze (Hautes-Alpes, France).
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RBINS Staff Publications
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Les sondages mécaniques à Hermalle-sous-Argenteau : méthodologie et premiers résultats
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RBINS Staff Publications 2017
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Reconstitution des conditions de formation de la tourbe des périodes Atlantique ancien à Subatlantique ancien dans la tourbière ombrotrophe du Misten (Est de la Belgique) sur la base d’analyses à haute résolution des pollens, des thécamoebiens et de la gé
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RBINS Staff Publications 2017
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Making sense of variation in sclerochronological stable isotope profiles of mollusks and fish otoliths from the early Eocene southern North Sea Basin
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Stable isotope sclerochemistry of biogenic carbonate is frequently used for the reconstruction of paleotemperature and seasonality. Yet, few studies have compared intra-and inter-taxon isotope variability and variation within a single depositional environment. We measured seasonal changes in δ18O and δ13C compositions in multiple specimens of two carditid bivalve species, a turritelline gastropod species, and two species of otoliths from demersal fish, from two early Eocene (latest Ypresian, 49.2 Ma) coquinas in the inner neritic Aalter Formation, located in the Belgian part of the southern North Sea Basin (paleolatitude ∼41°N). Results demonstrate considerable variation among taxa in the mean, amplitude, and skewness of δ18O and δ13C values from sequentially sampled growth series. We attribute this variation to factors including differences in seasonal growth over ontogeny, mixing of depositional settings by sediment transport, differences between sedentary and mobile organisms, and differences in longevity of the taxa in question. Growth cessation during winters in turritellines and fishes in particular lead to an incomplete representation of the seasonal cycle in their growth increments, in comparison to carditid bivalves. Ophidiid fish otolith isotope records appear to reflect environmental conditions over a wider range of habitats and environments, and we infer this is due to a combination of sedimentary transport, as these are small structures, and postmortem transport by free-swimming predatory fish. Our study highlights the potential variability encompassed by taxa in the shallow marine realm even when they are found in the same deposits. While this has significant implications for seasonality reconstructions based on conventional isotope profiles, we show that careful study of the ecology and ontogeny of multiple taxa and specimens within a death assemblage can reveal sources of variation and yield a close approximation of conditions in the setting of interest.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2025
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A European monsoon-like climate in a warmhouse world
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The middle Eocene warmhouse period (45 million years ago) featured atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations equivalent to those projected under high future emission scenarios. Seasonal- to weather timescale climate reconstructions from this period can provide critical insight into the impact of Anthropogenic warming on intra-annual variability in temperature and precipitation. Here, we combine daily-scale reconstructions of the evolution of temperature and the water cycle in western Europe based on stable oxygen and clumped isotope analyses on the fastest-growing gastropod known in the fossil record: Campanile giganteum. Our dataset shows that the middle Eocene of western Europe featured monsoon-like conditions, with seawater temperatures of ˊ24 °C during mild and wet winters, 30 °C during hot and dry spring and autumn seasons, and ˊ28 °C during warm and comparatively wet summers. Coupled climate model simulations using the Community Earth System Model indicate these seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation were driven by shifting atmospheric and oceanic circulation regimes over Western Europe, with winds from different directions bringing distinct waters to the region and minimal wind during spring reducing cooling through diminished latent heat flux. Our results highlight that Europe may experience wetter summers with more frequent extreme rainfall events under future high emissions scenarios.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2025
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Infancy and Death in Medieval Wallonia (Belgium): Some Burial and Biological Aspects
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This study investigates infant burials (foetal to 3 years old) in early medieval Wallonia (seventh–twelfth centuries AD) through archaeothanatological analysis of two recently excavated urban religious sites: Liège (Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts) and Mons (Rampe Sainte-Waudru). Twenty-four individuals were examined for grave location, architecture, burial arrangement, age, and palaeopathology. Infants typically received careful funerary treatment, often in wooden or soft containers, mirroring that of older individuals. Occasional double burials with adults raise questions about familial and community relationships. Individuals aged 1–3 years are overrepresented, though incomplete excavations limit demographic interpretation. Biological status – age or health – did not appear to influence burial care; only two showed pathology, one possibly from birth trauma. The integration of these burials in key religious centres reflects infants’ recognised social value within community. Findings enhance understanding of early medieval attitudes towards childhood and call for further study of the social and biological determinants of infant burial practices.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2025
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The INTERREG NWE DGE-ROLLOUT project: What are the contributions to the development of geothermal energy in Hauts-de-France?
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In Northwestern Europe, the Dinantian limestone formation, could be a promising geothermal reservoir from 1 kilometer deep for heat production in densely populated regions. In the 1970s and 1980s, scientific drilling in Belgium encountered hot water at high flow rates in this layer, turning these wells into productive geothermal sources for district heating (e.g., Saint-Ghislain, Douvrain, and Ghlin). However, similar wells in France (Jeumont and Condé-sur-l'Escaut) were not productive enough for economic viability due to the heterogeneous nature of the Dinantian reservoir, influenced by the region’s complex geological history.To enhance understanding of this formation, an interdisciplinary study was conducted under the INTERREG NWE DGE-Rollout project. This study involved creating a cross-border map of the Dinantian structure and building a lithological chart to represent variations across the region, including Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The formation is mainly composed of carbonate rocks but also contains significant heterogeneities, such as sedimentary breccias within the middle Visean (Livian), identified as a geothermal reservoir in Belgium's Mons region.Seismic surveys and petrophysical analyses were conducted across Belgium, France, and Germany. Results showed five main facies in the Dinantian: limestone, dolomite, anhydrite, sandstone, and clay. The Epinoy 1 well, for instance, revealed low porosity in dolomitic facies, while Jeumont 1 showed higher porosity levels in dolomitic intervals. Seismic data reprocessing further identified key geothermal targets, with dolomitic zones offering better reservoir properties in the north and east.Temperature data from wells in the region are scarce, though the Epinoy 1 well shows a normal geothermal gradient of 30°C/km. Favorable areas for geothermal development were identified based on energy demand and geothermal resource availability. The largest zone is located between Douai and Valenciennes, with significant heat demand and an existing district heating network. Another zone, around Maubeuge, also holds potential despite deeper Dinantian depths.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2025
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Understanding practices and awareness of recreational anglers regarding invasive alien species to support the development of biosecurity campaigns
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RBINS Staff Publications 2025
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Demographic Parameters of Iberian Killer Whales Between 2011 and 2023
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The Iberian killer whale subpopulation was assessed as critically endangered (CR) by the IUCN red list of threatened species based on the available information until 2011 on its low abundance, high newborn mortality, and dependency on the endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna. The present study focuses on updating the subpopulation demographic parameters between 2011 and 2023. Data were based on photo-identification and stranding records. Abundance, survival, reproductive rates, and population growth were estimated through mark-recapture models. Stranding records were used to estimate body size and calving seasonality. Sightings of newborn calves were also used for assessing seasonality. From 2011 through 2023, 26 stranding records were obtained, and 18,554 ID-images were examined. This subpopulation showed a stable abundance, with 37 individuals in 2023, still qualifying for the IUCN CR category under criteria D. Calf survival rate has increased compared to pre-2011, while adult survival has decreased, particularly for females. Reproductive rates were low, with an estimated interbirth interval of 8.3 years. The overall population growth rate was apparently stable at 0.46\%. Most births occurred in the summer and fall. Iberian killer whales are generally smaller than the average body length of other killer whale populations throughout the world. The study emphasizes the need for long-term monitoring and highlights new potential threats from fishing activities and recent disruptive interactions with recreational boats. The future of the subpopulation depends on recruitment and survival of juveniles and effective female reproduction.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2025
