Early Man Essay
Emma Duelm People have been using fire for millennia, and underestimate its importance. The use of fire was being mastered since the time Homo Erectus walked on earth approximately 1.6 million years ago, and it was even more important than the development of language. Fire is used for many things, and can even help people survive through disasters. The mastery of fire is the most important element in the development of human civilization, because it provides light, the cooking and preservation of food, and produces warmth. Homo Erectus were the first early men to use fire. They roamed the earth during the Paleolithic Age (2,500,000- 8,000 BCE). Paleolithic Age means "Old Stone Age". During that time, early men made cave paintings. Needing a light source to help them see their paintings, these people used fire as a source of light. Caves also provided shelter, and fire could help them see the inside of their austere dwelling. In addition, it can help the hunters seize their nocturnal game. The people who lived during the Paleolithic Age were hunter-gatherers; the men hunted, and the women gathered. With the help of fire, game acquired by the men was then able to be cooked and eaten so they wouldn't die of starvation. More importantly, meats could be smoked, thereby preserving the food for possibly much later consumption. Even after Homo Erectus was dead and gone, fire continued to be essential for survival. During the Neolithic Age (8,000- 3,000 BCE), the