Archaeofaunal record of the Lower to early Middle Palaeolithic in Belgium

New perspectives and developments prompted a reassessment of the Belgian Lower and Early Middle Palaeolithic record from a bioarchaeological perspective. Focus rests on the review of the faunal assemblages, providing a preliminary framework for an ongoing revision of the material. Through a critical literary review of legacy data, multidisciplinary research from the previous century and recent findings, the taphonomic evidence, taxonomic attributions, and biostratigraphic interpretations are synthesised to reassess the current knowledge of these contexts. The limitations of the current Belgian archaeological record are highlighted, particularly due to the absence of clearly dated hominin fossil evidence from the Middle Pleistocene and challenges in directly associating faunal and lithic assemblages. Framed within a broader Northwestern European context, this work emphasises the need for renewed, multidisciplinary investigations. Efforts should include the application of modern dating techniques, the contextual re-evaluation of previously excavated localities, and the exploration of sites with newly identified potential. Together, these approaches are crucial for enhancing our understanding of the early hominin presence, site formation processes, and palaeoecological conditions in Belgium.