When Did Humans First Discover Fire
Summary
This episode explores the archaeological evidence for when humans first controlled fire, tracing its evolution from opportunistic scavenging of natural wildfires to habitual use. The host examines key sites like Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa, which provides the earliest secure evidence of controlled fire around one million years ago, alongside debated findings from Swartkrans and Koobi Fora. The discussion covers how fire use expanded across Africa, Europe, and Asia during the Middle Pleistocene, highlighting its role in cooking, social bonding, and technological advancement. Finally, the…
Listen ad-free on Castria