The use of fire by prehistoric societies embodied many diverse advantages. Fire provided early humans with warmth, light and defence against predators, and allowed the processing of various foods, thus increasing the nutritional potential within them. Furthermore, fire provided the conditions required for the improvement of technological, cognitive and social abilities. But when did early humans start using fire? What was the process applied in order to obtain that fire during the different cultural stages? And in what ways was fire used in these different stages?

During this course, we will discuss the methods for the identification of fire presence in prehistoric archaeological sites, and present the main archaeological evidence for the presence of early fire. We will talk about the role of fire in the lives of modern hunter-gatherers, discuss the main models examining the timing of the beginning of fire use, and present the nutritional, cognitive, social and environmental implications of the use of fire by prehistoric societies.