THE DISCOVERY OF FIRE

Over the years mankind has experienced a wide range of significant changes. These changes
occurred in the way they lived, fed themselves, sheltered themselves etc. Although humans went
through evolution they still did not have many creative ways to do things they stuck to what they
knew. This was changed however when they discovered fire.
The earliest discovery of fire was recorded approximately 1.7 to 2.0 million years ago by a
member of the Homo range. This happened during the Early Stone Age which was also known
as the Lower Paleolithic. The discovery of fire helped humanity in many ways especially as they
started to become more domesticated. The earliest evidence of fire associated with humans
comes from Oldowan hominid sites in the Lake Turkana region of Kenya. The oldest fire ever
recorded on Earth has been identified from charcoal rocks formed during the late Silurian Period
which was approximately 420 million years ago. Many researchers find it fascinating how far
back the history of fire goes.
The control of fire by early humans was a turning point in the cultural aspect of human
evolution. Fire provided a source of warmth, protection, a way to create more advanced hunting
tools, and a method for cooking food. It also gave humans the opportunity to create more
advanced hunting tools. These cultural advances allowed human geographic dispersal, cultural
innovations and changes to diet behaviour.
Fire was used in many ways mainly as a source of warmth especially during the cold winter
times. It was used as a means of providing light. It also played a huge role in the ways humans
cooked. Before they were left to hunt their food and eat it whichever way they found it, raw or
not. However after fire was discovered. Humans had the ability to now cook these raw foods
they had gathered and with this they discovered a whole new cooking method.
Although fire was a really helpful discovery it eventually became redundant as humans started
discovering technology and electricity came into play. Fire which was once used as a main
source of power eventually started being used less and less. Fire is still being used today as a
source of power however it is mainly used in communities occupied by less fortunate people
who cannot afford the luxury of electricity. It is also used at gatherings or “braais” as they are
commonly known.
Ultimately with the discovery of fire came many challenges as humans who were not used to it
did not know how to use it and therefore were subject to many injuries and fatalities as well.
The discovery of fire was a great step for mankind in the sense of making their lives a bit easier
and more convenient. Fire improved their lives in many different ways and had a positive impact
on the way they lived. Fire was a great discovery and without it many civilisations probably
would not have survived and thrived the way they did.