The Neanderthal man knew how to make fire too

Researchers found flints bearing traces of pyrite, an iron ore used for making fire, dating back to around 50,000 years ago. A discovery that would mean that the Neanderthal knew how to ignite a fire, 25 000 years before what was thought.

The Neanderthal man knew how to make fire by striking stones, badure this Thursday researchers who have badyzed several tools from 50,000-year-old sites in France

It was already known that this man's cousin used fire. But it was unclear whether it was only through natural embers collected after fires caused by lightning or volcanic eruptions or if, like the modern man, he knew the techniques to produce it himself.

flints made to make fire

"We bring the first material direct proof of a regular and systematic fire production by the Neanderthals" write the scientists in a study published in Scientific Reports .

"We found the lighters used by Neanderthals to fire" explains Marie Soressi, professor of prehistory at the University of Leiden (Netherlands) and co-author author of the study.

Researchers have identified dozens of flint cut on both sides (bifaces) with traces that seem to indicate that they may have been used for to obtain ferrous ore such as pyrite or marcasite

One of the techniques for starting a fire is to strike a flint against pyrite. Then there are very energetic sparks. If we drop them on clumps of grbad or dry leaves and breathe a little, the fire starts.

Marie Soressi, who participates in prehistoric excavation sites in France, knew these bifaces "For a long time" but it was not explained the reason for some "intriguing traces" on these tools of the Middle Palaeolithic

Andrew Sorensen of the University of Leiden, first author of the study, badyzed very carefully the traces on these bifaces which were probably also used for other tasks (cutting meat etc.).

A technology already widespread 50 000 years ago

the naked eye, we see "C-shaped percussion traces, which allow to deduce the angle and direction with which the biface struck the pyrite" indicates Andrew Sorensen.

microscope, the researchers also have dec The team has also conducted several experiments on replicas of bifaces, subjecting them to various tasks (for example crushing ocher to make pigment). It was when flint struck the pyrite that the traces were most similar to those found on the Neanderthal bifaces.

Finding dozens of bifaces bearing these traces shows that it was "a technology prevalent among Neanderthals in this region about 50,000 years ago" considers Andrew Sorensen.He adds that it would not be "not surprised" that at the future, we discover older bifaces, having also been used to make fire.

A different way of life

The researcher agrees, however, that his badysis of traces "remains an interpretation" . "I am sure that the debate" around Neanderthal's ability to produce fire "will continue" .

For Neanderthals, to be able to produce its fire was to change many things. If they were dependent on natural fire, they had to be constantly careful to feed it and carry it with them from camp to camp, making sure it did not go out.

On the other hand, if they knew how to produce fire, they could light it as they pleased, says Andrew Sorensen. "It was supposed to save them a lot of time and energy! ".