Tag Archives: #humans

The text explores the significance of the hearth in human evolution, linking it to cooking, energy consumption, and social structure. The control of fire allowed early humans to cook food, improving energy yield and enabling larger brains and smaller guts. Archaeological evidence shows that fire usage became commonplace about 300,000 to 400,000 years ago, shaping daily life and social interactions around central hearths. It argues that the hearth served as a proto-altar, merging practical and ritualistic elements, fostering community through shared meals and storytelling, and reinforcing a sense of sacred space. Ultimately, the hearth transformed not just sustenance but the very essence of humanity.