Archaeologists have made significant discoveries about ancient fire use during the Ice Age at Korman’ 9, an open-air prehistoric site in Ukraine. A study led by the University of Algarve and the University of Vienna has provided rare evidence of how Upper Paleolithic humans controlled and used fire from 26,500 to 19,000 years ago.
Fire was a crucial element of human life, serving not only for warmth but also for cooking, tool-making, and social gatherings. The finds at Korman’ 9 are valuable because well-preserved hearths from the Ice Age are rare. Using advanced techniques such as micromorphology, colorimetric analysis, and 3D modeling, researchers identified three flat hearths with evidence of wood burning and high temperatures.
The control over fire was impressive, with temperatures reaching over 600°C at some points. Charcoal analysis showed that spruce wood was used as fuel, but partially carbonized bone remains suggest that bones and possibly animal fat were also burned. This indicates an advanced understanding of fuel sources and combustion.
The three hearths varied in size and structure, suggesting different uses of fire, possibly according to seasonal needs or social functions. One large hearth was more thermally intense than the others, implying multiple site occupations. The researchers believe that hunter-gatherers returned to the site at different times of the year, demonstrating their ability to control and use fire effectively.
The study provides rare insights into ancient fire use and confirms the importance of this element in human life during the Ice Age.
Source: https://archaeologymag.com/2025/04/mastering-fire-in-the-ice-age-ukraine