The Molecular Archaeology & Biogeochemistry Lab at the University of Cologne uses a highly interdisciplinary molecular level approach to improve chronological constraints of archaeological and geological samples, trace human activity and practices, study human-environment interactions, understand biogeochemical carbon cycling, and investigate the paleoclimate across various archaeological and geological timescales. We analyze organism-specific biomolecules and their degradative products (biomarkers) found in natural archives such as sediments or soil and as well as diagnostic biomarkers in human remains and man-made materials/artefacts. Our analytical tools include qualitative and quantitative biomarker analysis (fingerprinting & proxy analysis) as well as compound-specific isotope analysis (13C, 14C, 2H, 15N).