History of the research group “Formations squelettiques” at the Paris-7 University (1968–2008)

The research group known as “Formations squelettiques” team, specialized in the study of mineralized tissues of vertebrates, has been active for 40 years, starting in 1968. In this paper, we review the history of this group from its most remote roots – the original chair of Comparative Anatomy at the Faculty of Sciences in Paris – and explain its specialization in the study of bone histology during the second half of the 20th century. Many techniques were developed in the lab over these decades, as well as important partnerships among researchers that ultimately resulted in a lively community of paleohistologists and new generations of scientists involved in the development of this discipline.