From ember to engine, fire shaped our bodies, societies, and planet—a long partnership with double-edged power.
Control of fire may have driven human jawbone changes more than teeth wear alone, reshaping chewing muscles over millennia.
Ancient humans likely used fire to harvest iron-rich seeds, boosting calcium intake via environmental chestnut and acorn processing.
Fire-induced cooking reduced raw calories per bite yet dramatically increased net energy, accelerating brain growth despite shorter chewing times.
The oldest hearths cluster near nutrient-poor habitats, implying fire mastery was a survival tool for accessing scarce calories and nutrients.
From ember to engine, fire shaped our bodies, societies, and planet—a long partnership with double-edged power.
Control of fire may have driven human jawbone changes more than teeth wear alone, reshaping chewing muscles over millennia.
Ancient humans likely used fire to harvest iron-rich seeds, boosting calcium intake via environmental chestnut and acorn processing.
Fire-induced cooking reduced raw calories per bite yet dramatically increased net energy, accelerating brain growth despite shorter chewing times.
The oldest hearths cluster near nutrient-poor habitats, implying fire mastery was a survival tool for accessing scarce calories and nutrients.
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