W4: L15 = Palaeozoology [Fire] (Prof. Shaw) Flashcards
Earliest evidence of fire?
1.7 mya during Homo erectus.
Benefits of the discovery of fire? (2)
- Evolutionary advantage.
- Technological breakthroughs.
Why do you say that fire provided an evolutionary advantage?
It’s because it allowed hominins to adapt to a wider range of environments & expand their territories.
Why do you say that fire provided an technological breakthroughs?
It’s because it paved a way for technological advancements such as early metallurgy & ceramics.
The Cooking Revolution attributes? (3)
- Nutritional benefits.
- Energy intake.
- Evolutionary adaptations.
The Cooking Revolution: Nutritional benefits?
= provided more digestible & safer consumption, which led to improved caloric intake & better nutrition.
The Cooking Revolution: Energy intake?
= provided increased energy & nutrients derived from cooked food, which led to growth of the brain.
The Cooking Revolution: Evolutionary adaptations?
= resulted in changes in the digestive system & jaw structure.
Social evolution attributes? (3)
- Gathering point.
- Cooperation & bonding.
- Cultural significance.
Social evolution: Gathering point?
= fire provided a gathering point which fostered social interactions, communication & the development of language.
Social evolution: Cooperation & bonding?
= helped to strengthen social bonds & cooperation within the group.
Social evolution: Cultural significance?
= fire was a part of religious rituals, myths & the visual arts.
Ways in which fire promoted survival & adaptation? (3)
- Predator deterrence.
- Climate adaptation.
- Extended daylight hours.
Predator deterrence?
= warded off predators & created a safer living environment.
Climate adaptation?
= enabled hominins to survive in colder climates, which, in turn, expanded the range of habitats they could occupy.
