François Ngouoh

François Ngouoh is an archaeologist and expert in Central African ritual art. He is head of C14 dating at the Mbella-Expertise practice.

His role within the practice

• Leading radiocarbon (C14) dating: choosing samples, sampling, following the laboratory and interpreting results.
• Archaeological reading of objects: context, use, ritual function and consistency with documented corpora.
• Supporting the Central African ritual art assessments carried out with Edith Mbella.

Radiocarbon dating in brief

Carbon 14 makes it possible to date organic materials — wood, fibres, bone, plant textiles — up to about 50,000 years.

The result is a calibrated range of dates, not a precise year. It dates the material, not necessarily the making of the object: an old piece of wood may have been reused.

A dating result is not, on its own, an opinion of authenticity: it is read together with visual examination, patina, use and provenance.

See the C14 dating service

Training

• University training in archaeology and in the art history of Central Africa.
• Training in the preparation and sampling of specimens for radiocarbon dating.
• Continuing training in preventive conservation of objects in wood and fibre.

Career

• In the field

  Took part in surveys and excavation sites in Cameroon and Central Africa.

• Reading objects

  Study of ritual objects and their contexts of use, in connection with public and private collections.

• Dating

  Setting up and following sampling and radiocarbon dating protocols with specialist laboratories.

• Today

  Head of C14 dating at the Mbella-Expertise practice, alongside Edith Mbella.

Contact

For a question about dating or archaeology: write to him directly, or go through the practice’s contact page.