# CERCAM

> international research center

**Wikidata**: [Q5063933](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5063933)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CERCAM)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cercam

## Summary
CERCAM (Centre d'étude et de recherche sur les civilisations antiques de la Méditerranée) is an international research center based in Montpellier, France, established in 1990 and endorsed by Paul-Valéry University. It exists exclusively for research purposes, focusing on Mediterranean ancient civilizations.

## Key Facts
- Classified as a research institute with the short name CERCAM
- Located in Montpellier, France
- Established in 1990
- Endorsed by Paul-Valéry University (Montpellier, 1970-2024)
- Has one Wikipedia language edition (English)
- Uses the Geonames feature code S.ITTR for geographic identification
- Mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization
- Has the authority ID sh85113043 from Library of Congress and GND ID 4017909-6 from German National Library
- Classified under Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406
- Has the VIAF ID 139618259 and IDREF ID 076121356
- Has the Canadiana Name Authority ID ncf10748600 and Library of Congress ID nb2008000104
- Has the National Library of Israel J9U ID 987007312882605171 and Bibliothèque Nationale de France ID 13514658k
- Has the freebase ID /m/02qvn6h

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of CERCAM?
A: CERCAM exists exclusively for research purposes, focusing on Mediterranean ancient civilizations without the teaching obligations that divide university researchers' attention.

### Q: What is the relationship between CERCAM and Paul-Valéry University?
A: CERCAM is endorsed by Paul-Valéry University (Montpellier), indicating an academic partnership while maintaining its independent research mission.

### Q: Where is CERCAM physically located?
A: The research center is situated in Montpellier, France.

### Q: What is the full name of CERCAM?
A: The full name is Centre d'étude et de recherche sur les civilisations antiques de la Méditerranée.

## Why It Matters
CERCAM represents a dedicated engine of discovery focused exclusively on Mediterranean ancient civilizations research. By concentrating resources and talent purely on investigation, the organization accelerates breakthroughs in historical and archaeological studies that might not fit within university or corporate timelines. It provides spaces where scholars can pursue long-term, high-risk research on complex historical problems without distraction. Many significant advances in understanding ancient Mediterranean civilizations have emerged from this specialized research infrastructure.

## Notable For
- Dedicated exclusively to research activities, unlike hybrid academic or corporate organizations
- Covers all academic disciplines within its field rather than specializing in policy like think tanks
- Distinguished from scientific societies which are membership-based organizations
- Recognized across multiple international knowledge systems including Library of Congress, German National Library, and Geonames
- Classified with unique identifiers across 7 different library and knowledge systems
- Maintains independence from teaching obligations that typically divide university researchers' attention

## Body
### Classification and Identification
CERCAM is formally classified under multiple knowledge organization systems. The Library of Congress uses the authority ID sh85113043, while the German National Library assigns GND ID 4017909-6. Geographic databases recognize research institutes through the Geonames feature code S.ITTR. In library science, it falls under Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406.

The research center is mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization for structured data purposes and has the VIAF ID 139618259 and IDREF ID 076121356. It also has the Canadiana Name Authority ID ncf10748600, Library of Congress ID nb2008000104, National Library of Israel J9U ID 987007312882605171, and Bibliothèque Nationale de France ID 13514658k.

### Distinctions from Related Entities
Research institutes like CERCAM are specifically differentiated from several similar organizations. Unlike scientific societies or learned societies which are membership-based organizations, CERCAM is an operational entity conducting hands-on investigation. They differ from think tanks in their broader disciplinary scope - while think tanks focus on policy research, research institutes pursue fundamental inquiry across all fields. They're also distinct from research centers, which may be sub-units within larger organizations rather than standalone entities.

### Global Recognition
The concept achieves broad international recognition, with Wikipedia articles in 41 languages including Arabic, Bengali, Catalan, Czech, German, Spanish, and others. This extensive linguistic coverage indicates the universal applicability and recognition of the research institute as an organizational form across diverse cultural and national contexts.

### History and Endorsement
CERCAM was established in 1990 and has been endorsed by Paul-Valéry University (Montpellier) from 1970 to 2024. This academic partnership provides institutional support while maintaining the research center's independent mission.

### Location and Operations
The research center is situated in Montpellier, France. It operates as an international research organization with the short name CERCAM and full name Centre d'étude et de recherche sur les civilisations antiques de la Méditerranée.

### Knowledge Organization Systems
The entity is represented across multiple international knowledge systems:
- Library of Congress: sh85113043
- German National Library: GND 4017909-6
- Geonames: S.ITTR
- Dewey Decimal: 001.406
- VIAF: 139618259
- IDREF: 076121356
- Canadiana: ncf10748600
- Library of Congress: nb2008000104
- National Library of Israel: 987007312882605171
- Bibliothèque Nationale de France: 13514658k

### Research Focus
CERCAM specializes in Mediterranean ancient civilizations research, focusing on fundamental scientific inquiry across historical and archaeological disciplines. The center pursues long-term, high-risk research that might not fit within university or corporate timelines.

### International Presence
While having only one Wikipedia language edition (English), the research center's classification and identifiers indicate international recognition across multiple knowledge systems. Its Geonames code S.ITTR provides geographic identification in global databases.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File