Recent archaeological findings reveal that Homo sapiens demonstrated advanced fire-making abilities during the last Ice Age, reaching temperatures exceeding 600 degrees Celsius. Researchers in Ukraine identified three hearths from 26,500 to 19,000 years ago, where wood burning was complemented with animal remains, potentially enhancing heat output. This discovery challenges previous beliefs about human fire mastery in that era, marking a pivotal shift in understanding early human adaptability and sophistication in utilizing fire for various purposes, as highlighted by key researchers involved in the study.
We know that fire was widespread before and after this period, but there is little evidence from the height of the Ice Age, which makes these findings significant.
The three fireplaces discovered showed a surprising sophistication, demonstrating that people perfectly controlled fire and knew how to use it in different ways, depending on the purpose.
The hearths not only burned wood but also contained remnants of bone and animal fats, which could have contributed to achieving higher temperatures.
The fact that humans managed to create and control such high-temperature fires during the Ice Age is a testament to their advanced skills and adaptability.
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