Bones found in South Africa's Wonderwerk Cave provide possible evidence that human ancestors used fire 1.79 million years ago [1].
This discovery suggests that early hominins mastered fire much earlier than previously believed. Such a shift would have fundamentally changed early human survival by providing warmth, protection from predators, and a means to cook food [1].
Reports said the findings indicate that fire use predates previous records by approximately 700,000 years [2]. The evidence is based on bone alterations found within the cave's archaeological layers [1].
Wonderwerk Cave has long been a site of interest for anthropologists due to its deep stratigraphic layers. The presence of these altered bones suggests a level of behavioral complexity in early hominins that was not previously attributed to this time period [1].
Researchers analyzed the bone assemblage to determine if the damage was the result of natural wildfires or intentional human activity. The specific patterns of alteration point toward the latter, suggesting a controlled use of fire within the cave environment [1].
While the evidence is compelling, the discovery remains a subject of study as scientists work to confirm the exact nature of the fire interaction. If verified, the timeline for the evolution of human technology and social structure will require significant revision [1].
“Bones found in South Africa's Wonderwerk Cave provide possible evidence that human ancestors used fire 1.79 million years ago.”
If these findings are confirmed, the timeline for human cognitive and technological development shifts significantly backward. The ability to control fire is often viewed as a catalyst for brain growth due to the increased caloric intake from cooked food and the development of social bonds around a hearth.
