Laboratories and Fieldwork
The Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology has developed multi-function laboratory and fieldwork facilities to explore various facets of human relationships with the Earth system. We aim to provide a platform for researchers across the Institute to collect novel data related to the core research themes and develop new geoanthropological methodologies.
Laboratories
Our technical expertise and instrumentation set-up allows us to pursue state-of-the-art laboratory approaches to:
- Great acceleration markers (e.g. microplastic analysis, trace element analysis, fire analysis through charcoal and biomarkers)
- Climate and environmental change and ‘extreme events’ (e.g. pollen and phytolith laboratories, ice laboratory)
- Land use (e.g. analysis of vegetation and animal biomarkers, isotope analysis of human diets, mobility, and catchments, and plant and animal management)
- Long-term human-ecosystem relationships (e.g. zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry, zooarchaeology, archaeobotany, stable isotope analysis)
We analyze various organic and inorganic materials, such as ice cores, soil, sediment cores, plant material, charcoal, shells, bones, and teeth from a diverse range of terrestrial, marine, and lacustrine environments from the pole to the tropics and from the deep past to the present. Our laboratories facilitate sample documentation, analytical work using various protocols and instrumentation, and data acquisition.
Please contact lab@gea.mpg.de for any inquiries about our facilities, projects, and analytical possibilities.
Fieldwork
We also provide fieldwork support (e.g. fieldwork management, equipment maintenance, and booking) for researchers across the Institute. We are particularly looking to develop field projects in regions where different field-oriented disciplines (archaeology, palaeoecology, glaciology) can come together to undertake joint field seasons to improve our understanding of human interactions with other parts of the Earth system, from the biosphere to the cryosphere.
We also provide support through health and safety assessments, sample and equipment permits, and shipment. Our equipment includes the latest digital recording systems (e.g. total station), surveying tools (e.g. drones), and coring set-ups for different core types.
Please contact fieldwork@gea.mpg.de for any inquiries about fieldwork activities and equipment.
