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The Effect of Fire on Developing Humans

Researchers studying the Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa discovered in 2012 that humans were using fire at least 1 million years ago, pushing back the accepted date of this discovery by 200,000 years. This evidence shed new light on the development of early humans as they used this important tool for many different aspects of their lives. A professor of biological anthropology, Richard Wrangham, argues that this one discovery was possibly the most important for the evolution of early humans, even more so than the development of agriculture.

Cooking
- One of the most important advantages fire gave developing humans was improved nutrition and food safety. Cooking food makes it easier to digest, allowing early humans to absorb more nutrients from meat, fruits and vegetables. This allowed humans to grow faster, provided more energy and gave them the nutrients necessary to develop advanced brains. In addition, cooking meat kills pathogens, improving the safety of those who relied on hunting for much of their caloric intake.
Safety
- Control of fire also gave early humans improved safety from their environment. A fire̵7;s warmth could keep a band of humans alive during the coldest nights, and allow them to take shelter inside caves without fumbling around dangerously in the dark. Controlled fire was also a valuable tool for warding off predators, providing a safe place for humans to gather.
Social Development
- Fire also helped inspire social development among early humans. The safety of a communal bonfire or fire-lit cave inspired humans to congregate together for survival and companionship instead of trying to survive on their own in the wild. In addition, because a communal fire would require concerted effort to keep it burning may have inspired cooperative behavior among these people, laying the groundwork for the development of community and civilization yet to come.
Crafting
- Fire also served as an important resource for the creation of tools. Scorching the tip of a sharpened stick hardened the wood and turned a fragile, easily blunted weapon into a piercing spear. Fire could also dry out animal hides, allowing their use as clothing or components to build a shelter. These and other discoveries helped humans make more out of the resources available to them, increasing technological advancement.
Discovery
- The discovery that fire was controllable and was not simply a random act of the gods was an important milestone for early humans. This formerly terrifying and random event became a part of basic human existence, perhaps prompting early humans to wonder what other aspects of the natural world were explainable phenomena as well. This may have served as the first step humans took away from their reactive, unthinking ancestors down the pathway towards scientific discovery and understanding.

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