The evolution of pyrotechnology in the Upper Palaeolithic of Europe

Abstract

Pyrotechnology, the ability for hominins to use fire as a tool, is considered to be one of the most important behavioural adaptations in human evolution. While several studies have focused on identifying the emergence of fire use and later Middle Palaeolithic Neanderthal combustion features, far fewer have focused on modern human fire use. As a result, we currently have more data characterizing the hominin fire use prior to 50,000 years before present (BP), than we do for Upper Palaeolithic of Europe. Here we review the available data on Upper Palaeolithic fire evidence between 48,000 and 13,000 years BP to understand the evolution of modern human pyrotechnology. Our results suggest regional clustering of feature types during the Aurignacian and further demonstrate a significant change in modern human fire use, namely in terms of the intensification and structural variation between 35,000 and 28,000 years BP. This change also corresponds to the development and spread of the Gravettian technocomplex throughout Europe and may correspond to a shift in the perception of fire. Additionally, we also show a significant lack of available high-resolution data on combustion features during the height of last glacial maximum. Furthermore, we highlight the need for more research into the effects of syn- and post-depositional processes on archaeological combustion materials and a need for more standardization of descriptions in the published literature. Overall, our review shows a significant and complex developmental process for Upper Palaeolithic fire use which in many ways mirrors the behavioural evolution of modern humans seen in other archaeological mediums.

Magnetic properties as indicators of pedogenic and pyrogenic processes at the Upper Paleolithic site of Kostenki 14

“…On the other hand, anthropogenically controlled fire, that is, a hearth, is common for many archaeological sites (e.g., Alperson‐Afil, 2012; Clark et al, 2022; Murphree & Aldeias, 2022 and references therein). Repetitive fire events do not enhance the magnetic properties of soil material any more strongly than a single event fire, if their intensity is similar (Roman et al, 2013).…”

“…Attwell et al (2015, and references therein) summarized the evolutionary consequence of fire use: broader dispersion into cooler regions (Gowlett, 2006); thermal treatment of raw products leading to enhanced digestion, broadened dietary niche, decreased mortality as a result of killed pathogens and deactivated toxic components (therefore, decreased mortality led to faster natural selection), decreased energy consumption needed for digestion, resulting in encephalization (Ben‐Dor et al, 2011; Wrangham & Carmody, 2010); a hearth as a place for gathering and socialization (including social brain hypothesis) (Rolland, 2004); and increased daylight hours leading to physiological consequences for daily and annual cycles (Burton, 2009). In the Upper Paleolithic, the use of fire was associated with the development of nonutilitarian items such as baked clay and loess figurines, which indicated the important behavioral shift (Murphree & Aldeias, 2022); however, these authors point to the disparity between the studies of Neanderthals and early AMH pyrotechnology: “…there has been surprisingly far less research dedicated to characterizing fire use by AMH during the Upper Paleolithic” (Murphree & Aldeias, 2022, p. 1).…”

“…Finally, the Upper Paleolithic population already had symbolic thinking and could be characterized by modern behavior (Kissel & Fuentes, 2018;Meneganzin & Currie, 2022), which could result in a more diverse use of fire than before. For example, there is evidence that in the Upper Paleolithic, fire was used to produce objects of mainly symbolic significance (Murphree & Aldeias, 2022).…”

“…This task is especially urgent in Upper Paleolithic sites for several reasons. First, there is a lack of detailed studies of the combustion features at Upper Paleolithic sites (Murphree & Aldeias, 2022). Second, in the Upper Paleolithic, H. sapiens dispersed across wider environments, including the colder tundra steppe landscapes of Europe, which required cultural adaptation to survive.…”

“…Finally, the Upper Paleolithic population already had symbolic thinking and could be characterized by modern behavior (Kissel & Fuentes, 2018; Meneganzin & Currie, 2022), which could result in a more diverse use of fire than before. For example, there is evidence that in the Upper Paleolithic, fire was used to produce objects of mainly symbolic significance (Murphree & Aldeias, 2022). Therefore, the task of detecting and studying the combustion features at Upper Paleolithic sites is crucial for understanding the diverse application of fire as a tool by behaviorally modern humans during the process of their adaptation to new environments.…”