Ice Age Humans Built Advanced Hearths Using Sophisticated Fire Techniques

New research confirms that prehistoric hunter-gatherers in Ukraine mastered fire control, constructing wood-fired hearths reaching over 600°C during the Last Glacial Maximum.

Archaeologists analyzed three hearths at the Korman’ 9 site in Ukraine, dating back 23,000 years, revealing advanced fire management techniques.
The hearths, fueled primarily by spruce wood, reached temperatures exceeding 600°C, enabling cooking, tool-making, and warmth in extreme cold.
Innovative geoarchaeological methods, including microstratigraphic and colorimetric analysis, helped reconstruct ancient fire practices despite poor preservation conditions.
Evidence suggests seasonal use of the site, with variations in hearth construction indicating repeated visits by migrating hunter-gatherers.
The findings challenge earlier assumptions about Ice Age survival strategies, highlighting detailed environmental knowledge and technological adaptability.