Élisabeth Chabanol

Élisabeth Chabanol is a Senior Lecturer at the French School of the Far East (EFEO) and has served as Head of the EFEO Center in Seoul, Republic of Korea since 2002. She is also the Director of the Franco-North Korean Archaeological Mission in Kaesong (MAK), established in 2011 under the auspices of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Her scholarly work bridges South and North Korean archaeological traditions through extensive fieldwork in both Koreas, with her office located at the Asiatic Research Institute of Korea University in Seoul.

Dr. Chabanol's educational background includes:

• Master of Arts and Archaeology, University of Paris-IV (1988), thesis on 'An example of Chinese influence in the kingdom of Paekche: the tomb of King Muryŏng'
• DEA in History of Religions and Religious Anthropology, University of Paris IV (1990), thesis on 'Tomb Architecture in Korea during the Three Kingdoms Period: Report on the Excavations of Ch'ŏnmach'ong'
• Doctorate in Art History, University of Paris-Sorbonne (1998), dissertation titled 'Death in Korea at the time of the Three Kingdoms: The Silla tombs'

Dr. Chabanol's research focuses on Korean archaeology, particularly the burial practices of the Three Kingdoms period (Koguryŏ, Paekche, Early Silla) and the urban development of historical Korean capitals, especially Kaesong, the capital of the Koryŏ Dynasty. Her work uniquely bridges South and North Korean archaeological traditions through the MAK, which has conducted extensive excavations of the Kaesong fortress and royal tombs since 2003. She has developed specialized expertise in North Korean cultural heritage through 37 field missions to Kaesong sites, collaborating closely with North Korean authorities. Her methodology combines traditional archaeological fieldwork with historical document analysis and cross-cultural collaboration, making her one of the few Western scholars with sustained access to North Korean archaeological sites.

Her recent publications demonstrate a clear progression from focused archaeological studies of specific sites and periods to broader analyses of urban development, heritage management, and international collaboration in Korean archaeology. While her early work concentrated on Silla period tombs in Kyŏngju, her research has expanded to encompass the entire historical trajectory of Kaesong from the Koryŏ Dynasty through contemporary times. A distinctive feature of her scholarship is the integration of South and North Korean archaeological perspectives, creating a more comprehensive understanding of Korean historical sites that transcend political divisions. Her work increasingly addresses methodological challenges in cross-border archaeological collaboration and the development of shared terminologies for Korean studies.

Her principal recognition:

• France-Korea Cultural Prize (2006) for 'Souvenirs de Séoul: France-Corée 1886-1905'

Dr. Chabanol directs the MAK, which operates under the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and has organized regular academic exchanges through the 'Seoul Colloquium in Korean Studies,' a monthly seminar she has directed since 2016 in partnership with the Royal Asiatic Society and Korea University's Asiatic Research Institute. Her work has received support from various French academic institutions and has facilitated training for North Korean archaeologists through workshops organized at the EFEO Center in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Since 2018, her research has been incorporated into the ANR CITY-NKOR project on North Korean urban development.

As Director of the MAK, Dr. Chabanol oversees the only foreign archaeological team operating in North Korea (outside of intermittent inter-Korean excavations). The mission conducts systematic excavations of the Kaesong fortress walls and royal tombs, maintaining close collaboration with the North Korean National Authority for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (NAPCH). The MAK team includes French archaeologists, historians, and architects working alongside North Korean counterparts, with additional scholarly input from researchers at EHESS, Leiden University, and Seoul National University as part of the broader CITY-NKOR project on North Korean urban development.