About the SAP

Discover the history, operations, and activities of the Société d’Anthropologie de Paris

Société d’Anthropologie de Paris

The Société d’Anthropologie de Paris was founded on May 19, 1859, by Paul Broca and 19 other scientific figures. Its influence grew rapidly alongside its membership; it was recognized as a public utility on July 21, 1864. Its headquarters are located at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris.

Its founder, Paul Broca (1824–1880), remained its secretary general until his death. He is one of the fathers of anthropology in its “modern” sense—that is, in his own words, focusing on “the study of the human group as a whole, in its details, and in its relationship with the rest of nature.”

Our anthropology society is the oldest in the world to bear this name, which signifies that the human being is at the heart of its concerns. While it initially brought together disciplines that have since gained their own autonomy (prehistory, ethnography, forensic medicine, demography, sociology, etc.), it now focuses exclusively on biological anthropology while maintaining its central position at the crossroads of other sciences. Its specificity lies in placing the biological dimension of humans at the core of its approach, which is, above all, an interdisciplinary one. Throughout its existence, it has also—and this is proof of its vitality—embraced new approaches (molecular biology, genetics and paleogenetics, 3D imaging, funerary archaeology, auxology, nutrition, etc.).

Key moments in the history of the SAP

Over 160 years at the service of biological anthropology in France

1859

Founded by 19 members, including Paul Broca

1864

The society is recognized as a public utility

1868

Discovery and publication of the famous Cro-Magnon fossils in the BMSAP

1952

Establishment of the SAP headquarters at the Musée de l’Homme

1998

Organization of an annual symposium, “Les Journées de la SAP,” replacing the four annual scientific meetings

2009

Celebration of the SAP’s 150th anniversary during a week-long international symposium (at the Musée de l’Homme, accompanied by an exhibition of original human fossils from across Europe)

2021

Transition of the BMSAP to Diamond Open Access

How the SAP operates

Members of the Board of Directors

The SAP is administered by the following Board of Directors

For its operation, Board members are organized into working groups.

However, all key decisions are made by the Board as a whole.

Aurélien Mounier

President, Editors-in-Chief, Editorial Board, Awards Commission, Archives Commission, Communication Commission, Session Secretary

Sacha Kacki

Vice-President, Editorial Board, Awards Commission

Cécile Buquet

Executive Committee, Editors-in-Chief, Editorial Board, Awards Commission, Archives Commission, Communication Commission, Session Secretary

Laura Maréchal

Secrétaire générale adjointe, Editorial Board

Christine Couture

Trésorière, Awards Commission

Yann Heuzé

Trésorier Adjoint, Editorial Board

Bérénice Chamel

Editors-in-Chief, Editorial Board, Archives Commission, Communication Commission

Anne Le Maître

Editors-in-Chief, Editorial Board

Yann Ardagna

Editorial Board, Awards Commission

Ameline Bardo

Editorial Board, Awards Commission

Benoit Bertrand

Editorial Board

Quentin Cosnefroy

Editorial Board, Awards Commission, Archives Commission

Olivia Munoz

Editorial Board, Awards Commission

Caroline Partiot

Editorial Board, Awards Commission, Communication Commission

Floriane Rémy

Editorial Board, Awards Commission, Communication Commission

Jérémy Duveau

Editorial Board, Awards Commission

Eliza Orellana-González

Editorial Board, Awards Commission

Maïté Rivollat

Editorial Board, Awards Commission, Archives Commission

Camille de Becdelièvre

Editorial Board, Archives Commission

François Marchal

Archives Commission, Communication Commission, Session Secretary

Nina Marchi

Communication Commission, Session Secretary, Webmaster

SAP Prizes

The SAP awards prizes recognizing the work of researchers in anthropology

SAP Surveys

The SAP regularly conducts surveys among its members and the scientific community

Decennial surveys on the composition of the SAP

Every 10 years, the SAP conducts a survey to provide a snapshot of its membership composition based on various criteria. It also gathers feedback on several points, providing the Board with direct information from members to guide actions that evolve the society in line with their wishes. The diachronic perspective of these surveys also allows for tracking the evolution of SAP membership and, through them, the landscape of biological anthropology and archaeo-anthropology in France.

2004 Survey 2014 Survey 2024 Survey

Survey on the practitioners of biological anthropology

In association with the Gaaf, the SAP conducted a major survey on the practitioners of biological anthropology in France.

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Survey on the effects of Covid

The SAP also conducted a survey on the effects of Covid on our scientific community.

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The archives

A collection of documents tracing the scientific and institutional life of the Society since its founding in 1859.

Administrative documents

Bylaws, internal regulations, public utility declaration, and minutes of meetings.

Correspondence

The Society’s correspondence with its members and partner institutions.

Collections & scientific activities

Documents relating to the Society’s collections and scientific work.

Iconographic collection

Photo albums from field missions.

Consult the archives

The collection is held on deposit at the Central Library of the Museum (BCM); consultation is on-site and requires prior authorization.

  1. Locate the desired documents in the Calames catalog (link below).
  2. Request authorization for consultation by email at commarchives@sapweb.fr.
  3. Visit the BCM with your authorization — 38 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 75005 Paris.
Consult the Calames catalog

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