During the last ice age, early humans in Europe needed to harness the power of fire to survive. However, few well-preserved fireplaces from this period remain.
A new study published in Geoarchaeology found evidence of three ancient hearths built by people living during the Upper Paleolithic period (45,000-10,000 years ago). The researchers analyzed wood and animal bones found at a prehistoric site in Ukraine. They discovered that one fireplace reached temperatures over 1,112°F (600°C), indicating a sophisticated understanding of pyrotechnics.
The team’s analysis suggests that the people who built these fires were skilled in controlling fire for various purposes, including cooking, tool-making, and social gatherings. The discovery sheds light on how humans used fire during this critical period, but many questions remain about why few evidence of fireplaces have been found from this time.
Scientists speculate that freezing and thawing soil may have destroyed some evidence, or that the people at the time may not have had enough fuel to maintain fires throughout the year. The study aims to contribute to understanding how humans evolved using fire, a crucial tool for survival during the ice age.
Source: https://www.popsci.com/science/humans-make-fire-ice-age