FCG International Science and Research Award 2003:

Henry de Lumley

The Palaeontologist Henry de Lumley Woodyear, Director of the Human Palaeontology Institute of Paris received the FCG International Award in Science and Investigation 2003, awarded today in Valladolid, for “being the heir of the most brilliant tradition of prehistoric French archaeology and being a key part in the investigation of the most ancient human presence in Europe and for his master status for practically all of the pre-historians worldwide” by the jury presided by: Dr. Francisco Jose Florez Tascon, Doctor;  and made up of:   Mr. Enrique Ybarra,  President  of  the  Grupo Correo  Prensa  Espanola Foundation,  Mr. Tomas Girbes Juan,  Professor of  Molecular Biochemistry  Biology of the University  of Valladolid  and  award winner  of  the  Castile 

and  Leon  Award in Science andInvestigation; Dr. Antonio Gil Verona, Professor of Human Anatomy of the University of Valladolid and Secretary of the Spanish League against Epilepsy and Director of the Science Museum of Valladolid; Dr. Eudald Carbonell, Professor of Prehistory of the University of Rovira and Virgili and Co-director of the Excavation  and Atapuerca Foundation

Henry de Lumley - Biography

The Professor Henry de Lumley is one of the greatest pre-historians of the active world. His professional trajectory of more than 40 years has been marked with great discoveries and the construction of scientific equipment for the spreading of prehistory, always bound to research programs and archaeo-palaeontologic excavations.

With a Doctorate in Science from the University of Paris, between the years 1955 and 1980, he continued his investigation in Marseille in the heart of the CNRS until reaching the position of Director of Investigation. He created a research group in the University of Provenza dedicated to the study of Quaternary Geology and the study of Prehistory and human fossils.

He was named Professor of the National Museum of Natural History of Paris in 1980 and the Director of the Laboratory of Prehistory of the Museum of Humankind and the Institute of Human Palaeontology of Paris. Between 1994 and 1999 he was the director of the National Museum of Natural History. Presently, he is the Director of the Laboratory of Prehistory of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle and of the Human Palaeontology Institute, of Paris and a Member of the Academy of Science of Paris.

Founder of the World-wide Human Palaeontology Association, affiliated with UNESCO, he has directed over 200 archaeological excavations and has participated in the construction of seven museums of Prehistory in France, in Terra Amata, in Tautavel, in les Eyzies de Tayac, in Menton, in Tende, in Quinson and continuously renews the museum programs of the Museum of Humankind of Paris.

Presently he continues to be active at the age of 69 and participates in international excavation projects in Central Asia, China and in Ethiopia. One of his current projects is the study of the most ancient tools of humankind, 2.7 million years old in Kada Gona, Ethiopia and the construction of a Human Evolution Museum in Adis Adeba. The work done by the Professor Henry de Lumley for the study, knowledge and the spreading of Prehistory in the world shows his dedication to Science and Investigation.

Nicolas Claret [claret@cimrs1.mnhn.fr] Office of Internacional Affairs of the  Institut de Paléontologie Humaine