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Archaeologists unearth a 300,000-year-old hearth in Israel

Posted on June 27, 2024 - 8:06 am by

Archaeologists excavating near Tel Aviv, Israel, have unearthed a significant find: a 300,000-year-old hearth at Qesem Cave, shedding light on early human use of fire in daily life. This discovery, detailed in the Journal of Archaeological Science, marks a pivotal moment in human cultural development.

On fire: Despite evidence of a hearth (indicated by an arrow) dating back at least 300,000 years in Israel, demonstrating Neanderthals\' proficiency with fire, many historians believe that the technique of boiling water by heating stones and immersing them arrived too late for Neanderthals
On fire: Despite evidence of a hearth (indicated by an arrow) dating back at least 300,000 years in Israel, demonstrating Neanderthals' proficiency with fire, many historians believe that the technique of boiling water by heating stones and immersing them arrived too late for Neanderthals

Qesem Cave, located near present-day Rosh Ha’ayin, has been under excavation for over a decade, revealing previous signs of fire use through ash deposits and butchered bones dating back up to 400,000 years. However, the discovery of the hearth itself, measuring 6.5 feet in diameter, is unprecedented.

The discovery of repeated fire building over a continuous period was made in Qesem Cave (pictured) an archaeological site near present-day Rosh Ha\'ayin in Israel
The discovery of repeated fire building over a continuous period was made in Qesem Cave (pictured) an archaeological site near present-day Rosh Ha'ayin in Israel

Using infrared spectroscopy, scientists analyzed a thick deposit of wood ash within the cave, finding heated bone and soil fragments, confirming the hearth’s use for repeated fire-building. Surrounding the hearth were stone tools, specifically shaped for meat cutting, contrasting with nearby flint tools designed for other tasks.

The graph illustrates the infrared spectrum of grey sediments, indicating that calcite is the predominant material, which is the mineral found in wood ash. An archaeologist excavates the cave in the bottom left, and in the top right, a micro-morphological image of grey sediment reveals patches corresponding to remnants of wood ash. In the bottom right, a scan of a thin section displays layered burnt bones
The graph illustrates the infrared spectrum of grey sediments, indicating that calcite is the predominant material, which is the mineral found in wood ash. An archaeologist excavates the cave in the bottom left, and in the top right, a micro-morphological image of grey sediment reveals patches corresponding to remnants of wood ash. In the bottom right, a scan of a thin section displays layered burnt bones

Dr. Ruth Shahack-Gross from the Weizmann Institute’s Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science emphasized the findings’ implications: “These reveal an important turning point in human culture, indicating regular use of fire for cooking and social gatherings some 300,000 years ago, underscoring advanced social and cognitive development.”

Dr. Shahack-Gross analyzed the ash micro-morphology by extracting a cubic sediment sample from the hearth, which she hardened in the lab. She subsequently sliced it thinly (as shown in the picture), revealing burnt bone and rock fragments embedded in the gray ash residue
Dr. Shahack-Gross analyzed the ash micro-morphology by extracting a cubic sediment sample from the hearth, which she hardened in the lab. She subsequently sliced it thinly (as shown in the picture), revealing burnt bone and rock fragments embedded in the gray ash residue

The discovery challenges previous timelines and theories about early human development, suggesting sophisticated social structures and cultural practices much earlier than previously thought. This find at Qesem Cave continues to reshape our understanding of ancient human behavior and societal evolution.