Summary: Means of Lighting Fires and Cooking Food
Key dates:
The open fire played an important part in the life of the earliest inhabitants. We do not know how it was discovered but we can assume that its discovery was accidental. However, having discovered fire, people had to devise ways of lighting fires when needed. The experience of primitive peoples in Africa and the Pacific in the modern world provides an explanation of how this was achieved. As these hunter gatherers were usually nomadic, it is likely that they needed to become well practised at lighting fires as they moved around.
Fire was important not just as a means of cooking and providing heat. It could also be used to ward off wild animals and, in practical terms, it may have helped to harden wooden or bone tools.
While fires were to be found in the centre of the houses, it is very likely that, in summer time, fires were lit outside and cooking done in the open air. Because they did not have any kind of pots or cooking utensils, the food had to be cooked over an open fire and was therefore roasted. The fact that such cooking could take place meant that meat was much easier to eat, especially for the very old or young.
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