New study uncovers 50,000-year legacy of man-made fires

(CN) — Researchers from the Institute of Oceanology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have uncovered compelling evidence of a sharp increase in human-driven fires beginning approximately 50,000 years ago. The findings provide groundbreaking insights into the evolution of human behavior and its growing impact on our planet.

The team analyzed pyrogenic carbon, fire-derived chemicals, found in sediment layers in the East China Sea. Carried by river systems from East Asia over the past 300,000 years, these particles provide a continuous record of fire activity.

Carbon records from the site show fire activity spiked around 50,000 years ago, surprising researchers, including key authors Shoushu Jiang and Debo Zhao. The increase didn’t align with natural climate patterns in East Asia, suggesting humans likely drove the fires.

A further analysis of archaeological records from Europe, Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea and Australia reflects similar changes from roughly the same time. Northern East Asia, in particular, has shown an increase in fires coinciding with a rise in both human populations and technological advancements.

Researchers theorized that colder weather during this period may have increased the need for fire, which was not just a tool but an essential means of survival, providing warmth, cooking and more. Tracking its changes over the past 50,000 years, using modern technological developments, helps piece together a clearer picture of how human ingenuity has transformed regional environments.