Project

A zooarchaeological perspective on the Lower-Paleolithic in Belgium

Code
DOCT/011448
Duration
16 November 2023 → 21 September 2025 (Ongoing)
Doctoral researcher
Research disciplines
  • Humanities and the arts
    • Archaeology of Europe, the Mediterranean and the Levant
    • Archaeology of the Low countries or Belgium
    • Bioarchaeology
    • Prehistoric archaeology
    • Archaeological science
Keywords
Zooarchaeology Bioarchaeology Taphonomy Taxonomy Prehistory Middle-Pleistocene Lower-Paleolithic
 
Project description

Although research in the last thirty years has offered more and more insight on the first archaic human presence in Eurasia, the research on the Lower Paleolithic in Belgium seems somewhat stagnant. However, some recent studies have constructed a synthesis on Lower Paleolithic sites in both Flanders and Wallonia. As many seem to have either controversial aspects or a need for further research, the current study proposes a reevaluation and publication of the faunal remains from these sites, as to study the human presence in Belgium during the Lower Paleolithic through a zooarchaeological perspective, in addition to the study of the paleoecological and paleoclimatic context. The research will mainly conduct a taxonomic and taphonomic analysis of faunal remains from sites in Wallonia, while Flanders will be integrated in the study through comparative analysis with sites abroad and collaboration with ongoing national and international projects. The research also includes an archeometric component. This way, the human presence and influence on faunal communities and remains will be studied, the site formation and taphonomic history analysed and a reconstruction of the paleoenvironment will be provided.