A groundbreaking study has revealed that humans were making and controlling fire at least 400,000 years ago, significantly earlier than previously believed. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about the timeline of human technological development and suggest that early hominins had a far greater capacity for innovation than once thought.
Researchers analyzed archaeological evidence from ancient hearths, charred bones, and stone tools, concluding that early humans were not merely exploiting natural fires but actively creating and maintaining them for warmth, cooking, and protection. The ability to control fire is considered a major milestone in human evolution, influencing diet, social behavior, and survival in diverse environments.
The study also highlights the role of fire in shaping human culture, from enabling longer periods of activity after dark to facilitating communal gatherings and the development of complex social structures. Scientists note that fire mastery likely contributed to brain development, as cooked food provided higher energy and improved nutrition, supporting cognitive growth over generations.
Previously, the earliest confirmed evidence of controlled fire dated to roughly 200,000 years ago. This new research pushes back the timeline by at least 200,000 years, indicating that humans were harnessing this transformative tool much earlier than textbooks suggest.
The discovery offers fresh insight into early human ingenuity and adaptation, demonstrating that our ancestors were experimenting with technology and problem-solving in ways that laid the foundation for modern civilization. Experts say this research will prompt a reevaluation of early human behavior and the development of cultural practices.
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