In this coordinated project, we propose to investigate fundamental questions concerning the formation and evolution of galaxies, by adopting the Galactic Archaeology approach. As the Sun is treated as a special star for the incredible amount of detail with which it can be studied, in the same way the Milky Way (MW) and Local Group (LG) galaxies are considered the Rosetta Stone for the study of galaxy formation and evolution. This is due to the unique possibility of resolving them into individual stars, for which positions, motions, elemental abundances and ages can be derived. We can then acquire an exquisite, multidimensional view of their structure and chemodynamic properties, and how these have varied with time. We can also measure their gravitational potential and obtain insights into the mysterious dark matter component. 

This sub-project revolves around i) the determination of the build-up history of the MW disks and halo, as well as the star formation history of a number of key dwarf galaxies and ii) the determination of the dark matter content and distribution in LG dwarf galaxies, which are key test beds of dark matter theories. 

The unbiased age distributions that we will obtain within this sub-project are the key missing ingredient required to interpret the incredible wealth of existing observations in the context of galaxy models. Combined with kinematic and chemical information for millions of stars from large ground based spectroscopic surveys such as GALAH, LAMOST, SDSS WEAVE and 4MOST, we will obtain an unprecedented view of our Galaxy. In parallel, we aim to pave the way for the next generation of dark matter determinations of LG dwarf galaxies by preparing the tools and observational framework needed to exploit in their full potential the upcoming Gaia DR4, WEAVE and 4MOST data. We have a recognized role at the international level in the topics proposed. This is demonstrated, e.g. by the high impact results from the timely exploitation of Gaia DR2 and eDR3 data (e.g. Fritz, Battaglia et al. 2018, 237 cit; Gallart, Ruiz-Lara et al. 2019, 174 cit, Battaglia et al. 2022, 80+ cit), the invitations to deliver review talks at international conferences, the active participation in leading roles to the actual design and strategy for crucial spectroscopic surveys such as WEAVE Galactic Archaeology.