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Laurence Hapiot

Professor of Practice

Head, Heritage Research

Email icon laurence.hapiot@kaust.edu.sa

Biography

Prof. Hapiot served as Founding Director of the Archaeology Department of the Jeddah Historic District, where she established and developed the department, defining its scientific strategy, operational framework, and archaeological programs. In this role, she developed an integrated approach to preventive archaeology addressing the challenges of heritage preservation within a rapidly transforming UNESCO World Heritage urban landscape. 
 
Building on her initial training in physical anthropology, with a specialization in ancient diet and funerary practices, Prof. Hapiot has broadened her research to encompass archaeological materials more widely and the application of advanced scientific approaches to heritage. Her work particularly focuses on developing integrated analytical strategies and mobilizing cutting-edge technologies to address archaeological and conservation questions.

Research Interests

Professor Laurence Hapiot develops multidisciplinary research at the intersection of archaeology, heritage science, and the natural sciences to advance the understanding and preservation of Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage. Her work brings together archaeologists and scientists from leading national and international institutions to investigate past societies, their environments, and their material legacy, while supporting the preservation of archaeological heritage.
Keyword tag icon
Heritage Science Archaeological Science Archaeology Bioarchaeology Archaeometry

Education Profile

  • PhD in Archaeology at Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne, France. 2015. 
  • Visiting Researcher at University of California, Berkeley, USA. 2008. 
  • DU (University Degree) in Human Paleopathology, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France. 2005.

Publications

  • Charloux G. et al., 2025. “The Archaeological Project in al-Badʿ Oasis, Season 2021”, ATLAL (Journal of Saudi Arabian Antiquities), 35, pp. 59-65. 
  • Hapiot, L. 2022, “Dadan: Exploration of the Necropolis, 2017 Mission”, in Sahlah S. “Excavation at Dadan, 2017 Mission”, ATLAL (Journal of Saudi Arabian Antiquities). 
  • Charloux, G., et al., 2022. “The oasis of Khaybar Through Time: Historiography and preliminary results of the Khaybar Longue Durée Archaeological Project (2020-2024)”. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, 51, 82–110. 
  • Hapiot, L., 2007. “Apport de la paléodontologie à la compréhension des pratiques alimentaires et des modes de vie des populations égéennes protohistoriques”. In C. Mee & J. Renard (éds), Cooking up the past. Food and culinary practices in the Neolithic and Bronze Age Aegean. Oxbow ed., pp. 335-341.