DISCOVERY AND CREATION OF FIRE

As the early Hominids moved from the tropics into colder regions, they needed to adjust to new often harsh regions conditions(see previous video about it-Survival During the Stone Age). Perhaps the most important to their to their ability is to adapt the use of fire. The systematic use of fire made it possible to provide a source of both light and heat within the cave to the structure which they live. The development of tools and the use of fire are the two important technological innovations/discovery during the Paleolithic period, reminds us how crucial the ability to adapt was to human survival. The most recent Ice Age began about 100,000 B.C. and reached it's coldest period between 20,000 and 10,000 B.C. Sheets of Thick Ice covered large parts of Europe, Asia, and North America.

Early Hominids experienced natural fires caused by lightning and learned the benefits of them. It was the Homo Erectus during these times who first to learn the use of Fire. Archeologists have discovered the piled remains of ashes in caves that prove that Paleolithic people used fire systematically as long ago as 500,000 years. As per discovered in the Homo Erectus Site at Choukoutien, in Northern China.

Choukoutien cave entrance in Northern China

During these times Archeologists have discovered hearths, ashes, charcoal, and charred bones. All of these were about 400,000 years old. The said cave is located/faced northeast, it would have been a dark place without the use of fire.

Fire as a source of light inside the cave

Fire gave warmth and undoubtedly fostered a sense of community for the groups of people gathered around it. Fire was also created for protection of early humans to scare wild animals away. They also use fire to cook food, wherein they have discovered that food cooked by fire is easy to chew, and it is better in tasting than eating raw foods.

The creation of fire using two woods in the form of friction.

Scholars believe that the discovery of fire which is for starting of fires occurred independently throughout the world. Archeologists lack of evidence on how early peoples started fires.

Another form of creation of fire through using stones.(Friction)

They have been able to examine the methods used by ancient people. On the basis archeologists assume that the earliest methods for starting fires were probably based on friction, such as rubbing two pieces of wood together. Dry Grass and leaves could be added as the wood began to smoke(see third illustration above). Eventually, paleolithic peoples devised sturdy, drill like wooden devices to start fires. Other early humans discovered that a certain stone which is called Iron Pyrites, when struck against a hard rock, gave off a spark that could also create fire.

Iron Pyrites

Paleolithic peoples used their technological innovations such as making tools and the use of fire to change their physical environment. By working together, they found a way to survive. In this case obviously Paleolithic peoples played a crucial role in human history.
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