2009/08/14 by Kyle S. Brown, Curtis W. Marean, Andy I.R. Herries +6 · 3 citations
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology #Archaeology and Rock Art Studies #Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
paper · doi:10.1126/science.1175028
openalex publication_date 2009/08/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/02
The controlled use of fire was a breakthrough adaptation in human evolution. It first provided heat and light and later allowed the physical properties of materials to be manipulated for the production of ceramics and metals. The analysis of tools at multiple sites shows that the source stone materials were systematically manipulated with fire to improve their flaking properties. Heat treatment predominates among silcrete tools at approximately 72 thousand years ago (ka) and appears as early as 164 ka at Pinnacle Point, on the south coast of South Africa. Heat treatment demands a sophisticated knowledge of fire and an elevated cognitive ability and appears at roughly the same time as widespread evidence for symbolic behavior.