From ScienceDaily:
Just when this momentous acquisition of knowledge occurred has been a hotly debated topic for archaeologists.
Now, a team of University of Connecticut researchers, working with colleagues from Armenia, the U.K., and Spain, has found compelling evidence that early humans such as Neanderthals not only controlled fire, but also mastered the ability to generate it.
“Fire was presumed to be the domain of Homo sapiens but now we know that other ancient humans like Neanderthals could create it,” says co-author Daniel Adler, associate professor in anthropology. “So perhaps we are not so special after all.”
Their work, published today in Scientific Reports, pairs archaeological, hydrocarbon and isotope evidence of human interactions with fire, with what the climate was like tens of thousands of years ago.
Using specific fire-related molecules deposited in the archaeological record and an analysis of climatological clues, the researchers examined Lusakert Cave 1 in the Armenian Highlands.
“Fire starting is a skill that has to be learned — I never saw anyone who managed to produce fire without first being taught. So the assumption that someone has the capability to set fire at will is a source of debate,” says Gideon Hartman, associate professor of anthropology, and study co-author. Paper. (open access) – Alex Brittingham , Michael T. Hren, Gideon Hartman, Keith N. Wilkinson, Carolina Mallol, Boris Gasparyan & Daniel S. Adler. Geochemical Evidence for the Control of Fire by Middle Palaeolithic Hominins. Scientific Reports, 2019 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51433-0 More.
Why does Daniel Adler assume that the Neanderthals are not human? There is no reasonable basis for this claim anymore.
Note: “One question is, who taught the first humans?,” The ancient Greeks thought that Prometheus, a demi-god, did that – and was punished for it.
See also: In any Darwinian scheme, someone must be the subhuman. Otherwise, there is no beginning to human history.
But also, where, oh where, are those subhumans? The rally stupid tyles whom no amount of teaching could help?
See also: In any Darwinian scheme, someone must be the subhuman. Otherwise, there is no beginning to human history.