Jules de Christol (1802-1861), geologist

First holder of the chair of Geology and Mineralogy at the University of Dijon in 1839, this precursor demonstrated the coexistence of fossilized humans and extinct animal species (Notice sur les ossements humains fossiles des cavernes du département du Gard, 1829), which ran counter to the theories of the time (including those of Cuvier). His research focused on the paleontology of Languedoc, but also on the geological work carried out in Burgundy by mining engineers.