Published in Geoarchaeology, the study examined three prehistoric hearths unearthed at the Epigravettian site of Korman' 9 in the Middle Dniester Valley. Drawing from a suite of geoarchaeological methods, including micromorphology, microstratigraphy, and colorimetric analysis, the researchers were able to reconstruct the composition, temperature, and likely seasonal use of these ancient fires.
"Fire was not just about keeping warm; it was also essential for cooking, making tools and for social gatherings," explained Philip R. Nigst, archaeologist at the University of Vienna and co-lead author of the study. The team identified three flat, open hearths fueled primarily with spruce wood, capable of producing temperatures exceeding 600oC. The presence of such high temperatures points to a controlled, skilled use of pyrotechnology, even amid the harsh conditions of Ice Age Europe.
According to lead author William Murphree, a geoarchaeologist at the University of Algarve, the scarcity of fire remains from the period between 26,500 and 19,000 years ago has long puzzled researchers. "We know that fire was widespread before and after this period, but there is little evidence from the height of the Ice Age," Murphree noted. The findings from Ukraine help bridge this gap, demonstrating that fire remained an essential technology despite the severe environmental constraints.
The study also raises intriguing questions about fuel sources. While wood was dominant, burnt animal bones found within the hearths may suggest supplementary fuels such as bone or fat. "Some of the animal bones found at the site were burnt in a fire with a temperature of over 650 degrees Celsius. We are currently investigating whether they were used as fuel or just accidentally burned," said zooarchaeologist Marjolein D. Bosch, affiliated with the University of Vienna, the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and the Natural History Museum Vienna.
Differences in hearth construction also hint at seasonal adaptation. One of the three fireplaces was notably larger and thicker, suggesting prolonged use and higher heat output. This variation supports the theory that Ice Age groups returned to this site during different parts of the year. "People perfectly controlled the fire and knew how to use it in different ways, depending on the purpose of the fire. But our results also show that these hunter-gatherers used the same place at different times of the year during their annual migrations," Nigst said.
Despite these advances, the broader mystery of why so few hearths have survived from the Last Glacial Maximum persists. "Was most of the evidence destroyed by the ice-age-typical, alternating freezing and thawing of the soil?" asked Murphree. Nigst added, "Or did people not find enough fuel during the Last Glacial Maximum? Did they not use fire, but instead relied on other technological solutions?"
By deepening our understanding of fire use in human prehistory, the researchers aim to illuminate how one of our species' most critical innovations helped us survive and spread across even the most hostile environments.
Research Report:Fire use during the Last Glacial Maximum: evidence from the Epigravettian at Korman' 9, Middle Dniester Valley, Ukraine.
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