Study: New identification technique pushes back timeline of human fire use
A new diagnostic technique using light-emitting properties of burned bone has confirmed early human fire use at Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa between 1.07 million and 1.79 million years ago. This discovery, published in PLOS One, extends the known timeline of hominin fire interaction by nearly a millennium, according to researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an international team of scientists.
How does the new fire-detection method work?
Researchers identify ancient fires by exposing bone fragments to specific wavelengths of light, which causes burned material to emit a distinct glow. According to the study, this non-invasive, portable method allows for the analysis of large fossil collections without damaging the specimens. By combining this luminescence technique with chemical analysis, the research team identified charred animal bones with a high degree of confidence.
The study analyzed hundreds of tiny, fossilized bones left behind by owls. Because these remains accumulated naturally on the cave floor, they provide an independent, non-anthropogenic record of the environment, free from the bias of human activity.
Why is this discovery significant for human evolution?
The presence of fire 30 meters inside the Wonderwerk Cave suggests that early humans, likely Homo erectus, were actively managing fire rather than merely observing natural phenomena. Prof. Kolska Horwitz of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem noted that while evidence of fire at such ancient sites is often subtle, the data shows that fire was repeatedly present deep within the cave, away from the reach of natural wildfires or lightning strikes.
This finding contrasts with previous 2012 research published in PNAS, which placed the earliest fire use at the same site at approximately one million years ago. The new PLOS One findings suggest a much deeper history of cognitive development, as transporting and maintaining a fire represents a significant behavioral achievement for early hominins.
Could early humans have used owl pellets as fuel?
The study proposes that early humans may have utilized owl pellets as a fuel source to maintain fires within the cave. The high concentration of tiny, burnt rodent bones—remains typically found in owl pellets—found in the same archaeological layers as Homo erectus artifacts supports this hypothesis. According to the international research team, this indicates that early hominins were not just passive observers but were intentionally incorporating fire into their daily lives.
When studying ancient fire, look for evidence of “intentionality.” The location of the fire—deep inside a cave away from natural ignition sources—is often the strongest indicator that humans were involved in its placement and maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far back does this study push the timeline of fire use?
The study pushes the timeline back to between 1.07 and 1.79 million years ago, compared to the previously accepted one-million-year mark. - Is the new method damaging to fossils?
No, the luminescence technique is non-invasive and portable, allowing researchers to analyze fossils without causing physical damage. - Why were owl bones used in this research?
Owl bones provided a natural, non-human accumulation on the cave floor, offering a reliable, independent record of the cave’s environment over time.
What do you think these findings reveal about the cognitive abilities of Homo erectus? Share your thoughts in the comments section below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on human origins research.