Caroline Polet

Caroline Polet is a Lecturer at CReA-PATRIMOINE (Research Centre in Archaeology and Heritage) at the Free University of Brussels, where she teaches Paleoanthropology (HAAR-B-5070). Her academic work focuses on the analysis of human skeletal remains from archaeological contexts, with particular expertise in medieval European and Central African populations.

Her research interests span multiple areas of bioarchaeology and physical anthropology:

• Reconstruction of health status through bone and dental pathologies
• Dietary regime analysis using stable isotopes in bone collagen
• Activity pattern reconstruction based on enthesopathies
• Analysis of cremated human remains
• Forensic applications to historical contexts

Recent publications demonstrate her active research program examining medieval monastic communities, mining disaster victims, and Merovingian period remains. Her work often involves international collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches combining archaeological, biological, and historical perspectives.

As part of CReA-PATRIMOINE, she contributes to the university's research in archaeology and heritage, with numerous publications appearing in journals such as Journal of Archaeological Science, Anthropologica et Praehistorica, and Journal of Forensic Sciences. Her research has practical applications in both archaeological interpretation and forensic anthropology.

Dr. Polet maintains an active role in developing identified skeletal collections in Belgium and has contributed to significant historical investigations including the Bois du Cazier mining disaster (1956) and studies of Merovingian period remains. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in heritage management and historical understanding.