Lartet

Lartet refers primarily to a family of prominent French archaeologists and paleontologists, most notably Édouard Lartet (1801-1871) and his son Louis Lartet (1840-1899). Their work significantly contributed to the development of prehistoric archaeology and paleontology in the 19th century, particularly concerning the Paleolithic period.

Édouard Lartet: A lawyer by training, Édouard Lartet became deeply interested in paleontology after discovering fossil remains in the Gers region of France. He is best known for his excavations in the caves of the Dordogne region, including sites such as Aurignac, Cro-Magnon, and Les Eyzies. His work demonstrated the coexistence of humans with extinct animals like mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses, and cave bears, providing crucial evidence for the antiquity of humankind and challenging prevailing views about the age of the Earth. He collaborated with Henry Christy, a British ethnologist, in excavating and documenting these sites. Their joint publications, including Reliquiae Aquitanicae, are considered foundational works in the field.

Louis Lartet: Son of Édouard, Louis Lartet followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a geologist and paleontologist. He is known for his studies of the Dead Sea region and his contributions to understanding the geology and paleontology of the Near East. He participated in expeditions and conducted research that further enriched the understanding of prehistoric life and geological formations. While overshadowed by his father's groundbreaking work, Louis Lartet made valuable contributions to the scientific community.

The name "Lartet" is also sometimes associated with specific archaeological layers or artifacts discovered by either Édouard or Louis Lartet at the sites they excavated. In this context, it functions as an attribution, linking the finds to their original discoverers.