When did humans start using fire?

Humans have been using fire for a very long time, but the exact date when humans first discovered and controlled fire is not known.

The earliest evidence of controlled use of fire by humans dates back to around 1.5 to 1.6 million years ago, during the Lower Paleolithic period. This evidence has been found in the form of charred animal bones and evidence of hearths and campfires at early human sites. The discovery of fire allowed early humans to cook food, which likely led to important changes in their diet and nutrition. Additionally, fire provided warmth, light, and protection from wild animals.

Later, during the Middle Paleolithic period (300,000 to 30,000 years ago), early humans began to make more advanced tools, such as spears and knives, which were used for hunting and butchering animals. These tools were made of flint and other materials that required heating to create the necessary cutting edges. This allowed early humans to control fire in more advanced ways, such as using it to create tools and weapons.

The exact timeline of when humans discovered and controlled fire is still debated among scientists, and there are different theories about when and how fire was first discovered and used by early humans. But overall, it is widely accepted that the discovery and control of fire was a key step in the evolution of human culture and technology.