LIEN Lauren

Doctorante

Boursière de doctorat

Faculté de Philosophie et lettres
Département des sciences historiques
TraceoLab
Art, Archéologie et Patrimoine (AAP)

ULiège address: Bât. A4 TraceoLab
quai Roosevelt 1B
4000 Liège
Belgique

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Bibliography

List of publications

Open Access Publications

Biography

Lauren Lien began studying archeology as an undergraduate student in California in 2014, obtaining a Bachelor¿s degree in Anthropology with a specialization in Archeology from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She went on to obtain a Master¿s degree in Paleoanthropology and Paleolithic Archeology with Distinction from University College London in 2019, with the dissertation titled ¿ Traces of the Past: A Morphotechnical and Traceological Analysis of Bladelets from Level N2BW, Buendia (Central Spain) ¿. Since 2014, Lauren has been involved in several archaeological survey projects and excavations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Spain, in contexts ranging from the Lower Paleolithic to the Neolithic in Europe and the Archaic to pre-Colonial in the United States. Between 2020 and 2024, Lauren served as the Collections Manager overseeing archaeological, historical, and contemporary collections for all museum facilities under the City of Lancaster in California. She joined the University of Liège in January 2025 as a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Veerle Rots.

Lauren¿s PhD research explores the potential of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in advancing residue analysis on Paleolithic stone tools, offering insights to functional analysis that complement traditional morphological and use-wear studies. By refining FTIR techniques, this project aims to develop a robust methodology for residue identification, seeking to address issues such as contamination and post-depositional alteration, among other challenges. This research will focus on lithic assemblages from Europe and Africa as well as experimental materials, applying FTIR to reconstruct tool use, identify patterns in residue use, composition and degradation, and investigate variations in resource exploitation and regional technologies. Comparative analyzes with conventional techniques, such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS), will assess FTIR¿s effectiveness in detecting organic and inorganic deposits and engender new standards for the application of FTIR in the interpretation of ancient residues. The outcomes will contribute to methodological advancements in archaeological science, enhancing interpretations of Paleolithic materials, informing conservation practices, and broadening FTIR¿s applicability in residue studies.