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A new study suggested that early humans were probably not the only branch of hominids who knew how to create fires while research now shows that Neanderthals may have also started their own fires 50,000 years ago
As reported Phys.org the hand axes so commonly used by Neanderthals may also have been used to produce fires when they are struck against the pyrite. While scientists already knew that Neanderthals were able to control fires and use them for their own purposes, so far there was no evidence that they were able to set off these fires themselves, as explained Andrew Sorensen of the University of Leiden. "There is an ongoing debate in the world of early fire research to find out if Neanderthals could ignite or depend on natural sources like wildfires triggered by lightning. . "
When ancient humans needed to create a fire, they took pyrite and used it in conjunction with flint, although steel was often useful when it was struck against flint. Once this started to hatch, they then carefully placed it in dried grass and then blow on the material until it turns into a constant flame. Sorensen's theory that Neanderthals could very well have done something very similar.
Research suggests another way #Neanderthals were like us: They could start their own fires @SciReports https: / /t.co/tcbEkTklWc
– Phys. org (@physorg_com) July 19, 2018
In order to test his theory, Andrew Sorensen used a replica of a Neanderthal hand ax and struck it against pyrite to create flames. After doing this, he took the replica and compared it with the axes of Neanderthal origin discovered all over France for 50,000 years
Hand axes were extremely useful to Neanderthals and were carried everywhere with them, many like a modern Swiss knife would be today. While Sorensen noted that striking one of these axes against pyrite actually created sparks, the results of this act could vary from one species to another.
"Some strikes produced only one spark, others produced showers up to 10 sparks or so."
Surprisingly, he found that the marks left on the replica of the Neanderthal hand ax that he used after creating a fire were extremely similar to those that were discovered on authentic Neanderthal axes.
However, simply using these marks as definitive proof that Neanderthals were able to create their own fires is something that does not fully prove his theory. As Andrew Sorensen admits
"The traces made by the pyrite were the best, but there could be another mineral that we have not thought of that could create similar traces. "
On the other hand, unless other scientists can show how these marks could have been created 50,000 years ago, until now, the most logical and convincing conclusion is that Neanderthals were probably able to create fires themselves.
The new study of Neanderthals using their stone axes to produce their own fires was published in Scientific Reports .
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