To come to the conclusion that the use of fire allowed early humans to live in places that would otherwise be too cold, an archaeologist might study several types of evidence, including:
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Heat remains: Analysis of hearths or fire pits at archaeological sites to determine their age and usage.
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Charcoal and ash deposits: Investigating remnants of burned materials to understand fire usage and its frequency.
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Artifacts and tools: Examining tools associated with fire use and their distribution across various archaeological sites.
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Climate data: Studying ancient climate records, such as ice cores or sediment layers, to understand the temperature of the regions where early humans lived.
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Bone and food remnants: Analyzing animal remains or plant materials found at sites with evidence of fire to understand dietary changes and adaptations.
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Settlement patterns: Looking at the distribution of early human settlements in relation to colder climates to see if there is a correlation with fire use.
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Cultural practices: Investigating any ethnographic parallels from contemporary hunter-gatherer societies that utilize fire for warmth and cooking.
By studying these forms of evidence, archaeologists can draw conclusions about the role of fire in the adaptation of early humans to their environments.