Virginie Motte

Virginie Motte is an archaeologist and Lecturer at the University of Reunion. She serves as Regional Curator of Archaeology for Reunion Island and Secretary General of the Academy of Reunion Island. Her work is affiliated with HALMA UMR-8164 (CNRS, Université de Lille) and UMR 8529-IRHiS. Currently active in terrestrial and preventive archaeology, she leads the Ministry of Culture-authorized "Cavernes-Volcan" research program, focusing on cave occupations in the Piton de la Fournaise volcanic massif through collaborations with ONF, Réunion National Park, Inrap, and the Volcanological Observatory.

Her research bridges archaeological practice with colonial history, post-slavery studies, and heritage management in island contexts. Recent publications include analyses of the Lataniers cavern excavations, railway history in Reunion, and multidisciplinary approaches to documenting workers' living conditions in post-slavery colonial societies. She also coordinates the Scientific Data Storage Center for archaeological assets in Saint-Denis.