Fire has played an integral role in human evolution and history. The controlled use of fire was a major turning point that allowed our ancestors to cook food, keep warm, create tools, and protect themselves. But which early human species were the first to harness the power of fire? Let’s explore what the archaeological evidence tells us.
When did early humans first use fire?
The earliest credible evidence of human-controlled fire dates back to around 1 million years ago. Sites in Africa like Chesowanja in Kenya and Swartkrans in South Africa contain burned bones and ashed earth which indicate the use of fire. Most anthropologists agree that regular fire use started sometime between 1.5 million and 1 million years ago.
Homo erectus
The first human species to use fire was likely Homo erectus. This species evolved in Africa around 1.8 million years ago and later spread into parts of Asia. Homo erectus had a modern body shape and was the first hominin with long legs adapted to walking and running long distances. They were also the first to have smaller teeth and larger brains. Several Homo erectus sites dated to 1-1.5 million years ago contain evidence of fire use including:
- Koobi Fora, Kenya
- Chesowanja, Kenya
- Gadeb, Ethiopia
- Swartkrans, South Africa
- Zhoukoudian, China
The discovery of burned bones, charcoal, ashes, and red clay at these sites indicates Homo erectus had some control over fire 1 million years ago. They likely used fire sporadically at first before it became a regular part of their daily lives.
How did Homo erectus use fire?
Homo erectus probably used fire for a variety of purposes including:
Cooking
Cooking over fires allowed early humans to access more nutrients from food and break down tough plant materials. It reduced toxins in some types of food as well. Cooking food also reduced the amount of time and energy needed for chewing and digestion. Over time, this likely contributed to smaller teeth and jaws in the Homo lineage.
Light and warmth
Fires brought light and warmth to caves and campsites. This allowed groups to stay awake longer and be active at night. Fires provided protection by driving away nocturnal predators.
Tool making
Fire enabled more advanced stone tool production through techniques like hardening spears over flames. It also unlocked innovations like the creation of ceramics and more complex tools requiring heat treatment.
Socializing
Shared fires likely became focal points for social gatherings and communication. Firelight opened up more opportunities for groups to bond, exchange information, and engage in cultural activities.
How did Homo erectus obtain fire?
There are a few leading theories about how Homo erectus first started using fire regularly:
Natural sources
They may have collected burning material from natural sources like wildfires caused by lightning strikes. Maintaining and transporting wildfire embers for as long as possible allowed eventual access to a controllable fire source.
Wood friction
Twirling wooden sticks together to generate enough heat and friction for ignition. Kindling materials like dried grass or bark would be used to grow and maintain an open flame from the initial sparks.
Percussive sparks
Striking appropriate stones like flint and pyrites together over kindling to create sparks for ignition.
Coopting from burns
Following lightning caused wildfires and other natural burns in order to control remaining fires before they extinguished.
| Fire Obtainment Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Natural Sources | Collecting burning material from lightning-caused wildfires |
| Wood Friction | Igniting tinder by rubbing wooden sticks to create friction heat |
| Percussive Sparks | Striking stones like flint and pyrites together over kindling |
| Coopting from Burns | Controlling remaining fires from natural burns before extinguishment |
Homo erectus likely used a combination of these methods to obtain fire repeatedly and maintain access to it for daily use.
Spread of fire use
After Homo erectus, the use of fire became progressively more advanced and widespread among human species. Here is a brief overview of fire usage milestones after Homo erectus:
800,000-300,000 years ago
Regular fire use expands within Homo erectus and emerges among other species like Homo heidelbergensis, Denisovans, and Neanderthals. Fire adopts ritualistic and ceremonial purposes.
400,000-125,000 years ago
Homo sapiens evolve in Africa. Early modern humans leverage fire for advanced cooking techniques like baking, smoking, and steaming. Built hearths and other structured fire pits emerge.
125,000 years ago
Earliest clear evidence of man-made fire among Homo sapiens. Finds from Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa contain ash and burnt bones indicating controlled burns.
50,000 years ago
Modern humans use fire to transform materials via heat treatment. Calcination of minerals like limestone yields materials like plaster and cement for construction. Firing clay makes it into ceramic vessels, art, and bricks.
45,000 years ago
Oldest known remains of pit-hearths built for containing stable fires, found at Sibudu Cave in South Africa.
| Time Period | Fire Usage Milestones |
|---|---|
| 800,000-300,000 years ago | Regular fire use spreads within Homo erectus and emerges among related species like Homo heidelbergensis, Denisovans, and Neanderthals. Fire takes on ritualistic purposes. |
| 400,000-125,000 years ago | Early Homo sapiens use advanced cooking methods over fire like baking, smoking, and steaming. Built hearths emerge. |
| 125,000 years ago | Earliest clear evidence of man-made fire among Homo sapiens at South Africa’s Wonderwerk Cave. |
| 50,000 years ago | Fire used to transform materials via heat treatment. Calcination of minerals yields plaster, cement, and ceramics. |
| 45,000 years ago | Oldest known remains of pit-hearths built to contain fires, found at Sibudu Cave in South Africa. |
Impact of fire usage
The adoption of fire had profound effects on human evolution. Some of the key impacts include:
Cognitive development
Maintaining and controlling fire required forward thinking, patience, innovation, and problem solving. This may have contributed to improved memory, expanded brain function, and more complex cognition in humans.
Cooking and digestion
The introduction of cooked food allowed early humans to spend less time chewing tough raw meats and plants. Cooking increased nutrient bioavailability while reducing toxins. Over time, these changes led to smaller teeth, jaws, and guts.
Social dynamics
Shared fire pits became centers for social interaction. Cooking and eating together strengthened social bonds. The warmth and light of fires enabled longer and more complex social gatherings.
New tools
High heat allowed conversion of raw materials like stone and clay into more advanced tools. Fire-hardened spear tips, ceramics, and other innovations emerged.
Expanded habitats
With fire, humans could survive colder climates. It allowed groups to explore and settle environments that were previously uninhabitable after dusk.
Better protection
Fires deterred dangerous predators at campsites and living spaces. Burning also helped clear areas of excess brush and undergrowth.
Conclusion
In summary, the earliest definitive evidence points to Homo erectus as the first humans to control the use of fire starting around 1 million years ago. Fire provided light, protection, warmth, a place for social gatherings, an energy source for tool production, and the ability to cook food. These advantages changed the course of human evolution by impacting our biology, cognition, social structures, technology, and migration patterns. After being harnessed by Homo erectus, the use of fire became a core element of being human that spread across all continents as we evolved.