Prehistoric Ideology About Fire and How Was It Invented

The ability to create fire is one of the biggest developments in our history as a
species. Neanderthals living in France roughly 50,000 years ago regularly started
fires by striking flint with hard minerals like pyrite to generate a spark.

Fire provided a source of warmth and lighting, protection from predators, a way
to create more advanced hunting tools and method for cooking food. These
cultural advances allowed human geographic dispersal, cultural innovation and
changes to diet and behavior.


How did Early Humans Invent Fire?

The earliest evidence of fire by a member of homo ranges from 1.7 to 2.0 million
years ago. Evidence for the for the microscopic traces of wood ash as controlled
use of fire by homo erectus, beginning some 1,000,000 years ago, has wide
scholarly support.

According to the Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave
it to humans. The earliest creatures that predated human beings were probably
well aware of fire. When lightning would strike a forest and create a fire, it
probably intrigued and amazed them.

They may have rubbed two sticks together generating enough heat to start a
blaze. They used to make fires in front of the caves to scare away wild animals.
Tools made from flint stones and animals bones were used for various purposes.
They also used to paint on cave walls for their recreation.


What are the Important things needed to Create Fire?

There must be fuel to burn, there must be sir to supply oxygen, there must be
heat to start and continue the combustion process. Oxygen, heat and fuel are
frequently referred to as the fire triangle. Add in the element, the chemical
reaction and you actually have a fire tetrahedron. The important thing to remember is, if you take any of these four things away, you will not have a fire or
the fore will be extinguished.


Where was the First Fire Invented?

The earliest evidence f humans using fire comes from many archaeological sites in East Africa like Chesowanja near Lake Baringo, Koobi Fora and Olorgesailie in
Kenya. The evidence at Chesowanja is the discovery of red clay shards that
scientists estimate are 1.42 million years old.


Uses of Fire in Early Age

Clear evidence of habitual use of fire, though, comes from caves in Israel dating
back between 400,000 and 300,000 years ago and includes the repeated use of a
single hearth in Qesem Cave and indications of roasting meat.

There is archaeological evidence that some Stone Age people used fire to clear a
site of vegetation and rodents before building a camp or settlement. They also
used fire to clear obstacles, get rid of harmful plants and create more navigable
trails or roads.

Fire allows us to produce light and heat, to cook plants and animals, to clear
forests for planting, to heat-treat stone for making stone tools, to keep predator
animals away and to burn clay for ceramic objects.


Why is Fire Important?

For humans, fire become important for many reasons, including cooking,
protection and warmth but most of these presuppose some degree of control. It
is an important process that affects ecological system around the globe. The
positive effects of fire include stimulating growth and maintaining various ecological systems.




Written By - Reshma Madhini

Edited By - Vanshu Verma