Remarkable Prehistoric Fire Technology Discovered at Korman’ 9
In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery at Korman’ 9, an open-air prehistoric site in Ukraine’s Middle Dniester Valley, researchers from the Universities of Algarve and Vienna have uncovered three exceptionally preserved hearths that reveal sophisticated fire management techniques used by ancient humans during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) – the most severe phase of the Ice Age approximately 26,500 to 19,000 years ago.
These rare intact fire features provide unprecedented insights into how our ancestors not only survived but thrived during one of Earth’s most challenging climatic periods.
Fire: The Multifaceted Tool of Ancient Survival
Beyond Basic Warmth
Fire served as the cornerstone of prehistoric human existence, extending far beyond simple warmth. As Philip R. Nigst, lead archaeologist from the University of Vienna, explained: “Fire was not just about keeping warm; it was also essential for cooking, making tools, and for social gatherings.”
The exceptional preservation at Korman’ 9 allowed scientists to employ sophisticated analytical techniques including micromorphology, colorimetric analysis, and 3D modeling to study these flat, open hearths that demonstrated remarkable technological advancement.
Advanced Fire Mastery During Extreme Climate Conditions
Impressive Temperature Control
Despite the harsh glacial environment, the inhabitants of Korman’ 9 exhibited exceptional command over fire technology. Scientific analysis revealed these hearths reached temperatures exceeding 600°C, demonstrating not merely basic fire management but a sophisticated understanding of combustion principles and fuel properties.
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Innovative Fuel Strategies
While charcoal analysis confirmed spruce wood as the primary fuel source, researchers also discovered partially carbonized bone fragments, suggesting these Ice Age humans supplemented their fuel with animal bones and possibly fats when wood resources were limited.
“Some of the animal bones found at the site were burnt in a fire with a temperature of over 650 degrees Celsius,” noted Marjolein D. Bosch, a zooarchaeologist involved in the study. “We are currently investigating whether they were used as fuel or just accidentally burned.”
Purposeful Design Variation
Perhaps most fascinating was the variation observed between the three hearths – each differing in size, structure, and thermal intensity. This diversity suggests these ancient humans customized their fires for different purposes, potentially adapting to seasonal requirements or distinct social functions.
“People perfectly controlled the fire and knew how to use it in different ways, depending on the purpose,” Nigst explained, adding that evidence suggests hunter-gatherers returned to this site repeatedly throughout different seasons.
These discoveries not only illuminate prehistoric survival strategies but also demonstrate that even during Earth’s most forbidding climatic period, our ancestors possessed remarkable technological ingenuity that helped them not merely survive, but flourish in extreme conditions.
