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of the Histories of Anthropology

Institut de paléontologie humaine (1910- )

The Institut de paléontologie humaine was founded in 1910 on the initiative of Prince Albert I of Monaco, advised by the prehistorians Marcellin Boule and Father Henri Breuil. It represents a very important step in the emergence of prehistoric anthropology as a new discipline. Internationally renowned, it was the first research and teaching centre in the world to be created to study fossil mankind using both a naturalistic and ethnographic approach. It made a decisive contribution to the rationalization, professionalization and centralization of prehistoric activities in France.

Keywords: Palaeontology | Prehistory | Ethnography | 20th century | France | Marcellin Boule | Henri Breuil