Fire among Neanderthals

Ethel Allué, Carolina Mallol, Vera Aldeias, Aitor Burguet-Coca, Dan Cabanes, Ángel Carrancho, Rory Connolly, Lucia Leierer, Susan Mentzer, Christopher Miller, Dennis Sandgathe, Mareike Stahlschmidt, Isabelle Théry-Parisot, Manuel Vaquero

Publications: Contribution to bookChapterPeer Reviewed

Abstract

The ability to make and use fire can be considered as a behavioural threshold in human evolution. The aim of this chapter is to present an overview of the research on fire among Neanderthals. We compiled and reviewed the archaeological evidence and scientific studies on the topic, including different methodological approaches, theoretical considerations about the complexity of fire as an element of technology, and different interpretations regarding the Neanderthals’ ability to make fire. Approaching fire as an artefact through experimental research, ethnography, and archaeology at different scales of observation and using different methods has furnished a robust data set that allows us to objectively interpret Neanderthal behaviour around fire, such as in fuel gathering, fire lighting, use, and reuse. This research paves the way to identify cultural aspects of pyrotechnology and understand Neanderthal social behaviour around fire.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUpdating Neanderthals
Subtitle of host publicationUnderstanding Behavioural Complexity in the Late Middle Palaeolithic
EditorsFrancesca Romagnoli
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherElsevier
Pages227-249
Number of pages23
ISBN (Electronic)9780128214282
ISBN (Print)9780128214299
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2022

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 106018 Human biology

Keywords

  • Burning
  • Combustion
  • Cooking
  • Fire
  • Fuel
  • Hearth
  • Interdisciplinarity
  • Multiproxy
  • Pyrotechnology
  • Tar

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