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New Research Indicates That Smoking and Dehydrating Meat with Fire Was a Form of Food Protection Even Before the Habit of Cooking Emerged
Researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel have presented a new explanation for the use of fire by early humans. According to an article published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, the aim was not to cook, as previously thought, but rather to protect and preserve the meat of large animals.
The use of fire in domestic contexts dates back 400,000 years. Nevertheless, the reasons for our ancestors controlling fire have always sparked debates among scholars. Now, the Israeli team proposes a new perspective on the subject.
Fire Used to Preserve Meat
According to the study, early humans used fire to smoke and dehydrate meat, which increased its shelf life. This method also helped protect food from predators.
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Miki Ben-Dor, one of the authors of the research, states that before 400,000 years ago, there is no consistent evidence of frequent fire use.
This would indicate that it was used only in very specific situations. “The process of gathering fuel, starting a fire, and keeping it burning required significant effort. They needed a compelling and energetically efficient reason to do this,” he explained.
Archaeological Sites with Evidence
To support the new theory, scientists analyzed all archaeological sites with evidence of fire use dated between 1.8 million and 800,000 years ago. Only nine locations in the world meet these criteria: two in Israel, six in Africa, and one in Spain.
At all these sites, large volumes of bones from large animals, such as elephants, hippos, and rhinos, were found. This reinforces the idea that these animals were fundamental to the diet of early humans.
According to Ben-Dor, a single elephant could provide enough calories to feed 20 to 30 people for over a month. The preservation of this meat was, therefore, essential.
Protection and Storage
The meat of these animals was extremely caloric and nutritious. To prevent spoilage and keep predators away, humans developed strategies such as smoking and dehydrating meat with fire. These methods prevented it from going bad and ensured food for a longer time.
Ran Barkai, another author of the study, claims that the use of fire may have started for these reasons. Only later would the act of cooking food become commonplace.
Impact on Diet and Evolution
The study also suggests that the use of fire related to meat preservation is linked to other important changes in Prehistory. One of these would be the gradual disappearance of large animals and the need to adapt the diet by seeking smaller game.
These findings reinforce recent theories that many human behaviors emerged as responses to the hunting of large animals and the search for lasting energy sources.
The idea that fire was first used for cooking may have just been part of the process. Preservation, according to the researchers, came first.
With information from Revista Galileu.
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