From fire to civilization, how its domestication transformed human beings
Good morning, I propose an interesting video today centered on the domestication of fire by our early human ancestors.
You should know that the need to master fire represents a crucial moment of transformation in human development, potentially initiated by early hominids like Homo erectus around 1.6 million years ago.
Although the precise method of acquiring fire remains hypothetical, it likely involved harnessing natural phenomena before progressing to intentional ignition. Evidence from sites like Koobi Fora in Kenya and Gesher Benot Ya’aqov in Israel suggests deliberate use of fire by hominids, perhaps Homo erectus, evidenced by groups of burnt artifacts and heated stones indicative of controlled fires.
Furthermore, the advent of fire completely revolutionized sustenance strategies and human habitation types. Food cooking, a significant innovation facilitated by fire, transformed the nutritional landscape by improving food digestibility and reducing risks of toxins and pathogens. This increased caloric efficiency led to physiological changes, including smaller teeth indicative of reduced reliance on heavy chewing. Additionally, the thermal benefits of fire allowed our ancestors to expand into colder climates, facilitating geographic migration and ecological diversification.
Despite the uncertainties surrounding the timeline and mechanisms of fire adoption, its profound influence on human evolution is undeniable. The legacy of fire domestication persists in our anatomical features, dietary habits, and adaptive behaviors, underscoring its central role in shaping the human experience.
I won’t keep you any longer; I leave you to watch the video!
Immagine in alto: immagine AI dei primi esseri umani e l’addomesticamento del fuoco. Fonte: Alla /Adobe Stock
Trained at the University of Turin, where she obtained her three-year degree in Cultural Heritage Sciences and her master's degree in History of Archaeological and Historical-Artistic Heritage, she specialized at the University of Milan, graduating in Archaeological Heritage. Freelancer, she deals with computer archeology and virtual heritage, museum displays, 2D graphics and multimedia products applied to cultural heritage. Collaborates with various public and private bodies in the field of projects related to the research, enhancement, communication and promotion of cultural heritage. She deals with the creation of cultural itineraries relating to the entire Italian Peninsula and the development of content (creation of texts and photographic production) for paper and virtual publications. Her study interests include the development of new techniques and means of communication for the enhancement of cultural heritage and the evolution of the symbolism of power between the Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages.
