Project

A zooarchaeological perspective on the first human presence in Belgium.

Code
11Q0H24N
Duration
01 November 2023 → 31 October 2027
Funding
Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
Research disciplines
  • Humanities
    • Archaeology of Europe, the Mediterranean and the Levant
    • Archaeology of the Low countries or Belgium
    • Bioarchaeology
    • Prehistoric archaeology
Keywords
Bioarchaeology Zooarchaeology Taphonomy Lower-Paleolithic Middle-Pleistocene Taxonomy
 
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.