Fire was crucial for survival during the Ice Age. Our ancestors used it for cooking, warmth, and toolmaking. Yet, surprisingly, there’s little evidence of fireplaces from the coldest phases of the Ice Age in Europe.
Recently, a team of researchers from the University of Algarve and the University of Vienna has made significant discoveries that help unravel this mystery. They studied three ancient hearths at a prehistoric site in Ukraine. Their findings show that people built diverse types of hearths and primarily used wood, along with possible additions of bones and fat, to fuel their fires. These results were published in the journal Geoarchaeology.
Fire played multiple roles for Homo sapiens during the Upper Paleolithic, which lasted from around 45,000 to 10,000 years ago. As Philip R. Nigst, a leading archaeologist involved in the research, notes, “Fire was not just about keeping warm; it was essential for cooking, making tools, and even socializing.”
Despite long-held beliefs about its importance, there remains a mystery surrounding fire use during the peak of the Ice Age, specifically between 26,500 and 19,000 years ago. “There’s a notable lack of evidence,” says William Murphree, another lead author of the study. “We know fire was common before and after this period, but not so much during it.”
The significance of the latest study lies in the innovative techniques used to analyze the three hearths. By applying microstratigraphic and colorimetric analyses, researchers uncovered that these pits could reach more than 600°C. This level of heat indicates a sophisticated understanding of fire, even amidst severe environmental challenges.
The hearths primarily used spruce wood, confirmed by charcoal samples. Other potential fuel sources included animal bones, which were also found at the site. Some of these bones had been burned at temperatures exceeding 650°C. “We’re looking into whether these bones were used as fuel or just happened to catch fire,” explains Marjolein D. Bosch, a zooarchaeologist also part of the study.
All three hearths were open and flat. However, the variations in size and construction suggest that our ancestors adapted their fire usage based on the season and specific needs. “It’s clear that people were skilled at managing fire and used it differently throughout the year,” Nigst remarks.
Still, the limited number of fireplaces from this critical period raises questions. “Could the freeze-thaw cycles of the Ice Age have destroyed most of the evidence?” Murphree wonders. “Or perhaps the scarcity of fuel affected fire usage?” Nigst adds, “It’s also possible they relied on other technologies.”
Understanding how fire influenced human evolution could provide more insights into how our ancestors thrived in diverse environments. As they uncover more about fire’s role, these researchers hope to illuminate the beginnings of a technology that has shaped human existence.
For further details, see the study: William Chase Murphree et al, Fire Use During the Last Glacial Maximum: Evidence From the Epigravettian at Korman’ 9, Middle Dniester Valley, Ukraine, Geoarchaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1002/gea.70006.
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