After studying history and archaeology at the Sorbonne (Paris 1 and EPHE) and obtaining the agrégation in history, Dominique Charpin became assistant to Paul Garelli at the University of Paris 1 (1976-77 to 1984-85), during which time he successively obtained a3rd cycle doctorate (1979), then a state doctorate (1984). He then spent three years at the CNRS as a research fellow (1985/86 to 1987/88), before becoming a professor at the University of Paris 1 (1988/89 to 2004/05). Director of Studies at the EPHE since 1994, he became a non-cumulative director from September 2005 to December 2013. Since January1 2014, he has held the Mesopotamian Civilization chair at the Collège de France.
A specialist in cuneiform writing, and in particular texts written in Sumerian and Akkadian, Dominique Charpin has extensive experience of epigraphy and takes part in archaeological missions : in Syria (Mari), as well as in Iraq (Larsa, excavation of which resumed in 2019, as well as Ur since 2015). His research focuses in particular on the Paleo-Babylonian period (2000 to 1600 B.C. ), for which he promotes a global approach ; he has published thirteen books, over two hundred and fifty articles or book chapters, as well as hundreds of reviews and short notes, and runs the archibab.fr website. He combines his personal work with various responsibilities in research management and administration.
