There is a clear image of fire as a fundamental element for human development, especially in the field of food. It is almost always imagined that hominids were able to cook when they discovered fire, a behavior that began just over a million years ago.

However, paleoanthropological studies have shown that humans probably already cooked before discovering fire in the communities near the hot springs. The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), has analyzed biomarkers in the Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, known as the Cradle of Humankind.

In this region, previous research has found bones of the first species of Homo habilis, as well as tools used from rock chips with basalt and quartz.

In these more recent studies, they also found the presence of bacteria that are found in very hot aquatic environments, with temperatures above 80 ° C. This bacterium is currently present in hot springs.

The presence of hominid remains near these areas, with the presence of “naturally” cooked remains of dead animals, may suggest that these humans transformed food in these waters. Researchers believe that the first cuisines arose in hot springs.

Possibly. By developing this technique, primitive humans were able to revolutionize the species, avoiding the consumption of potentially harmful bacteria and making better use of the nutrients in the different foods available.

FUNIBER offers several studies in the field of Nutrition for professionals interested in learning more about the field of food and food, for example, the International Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics, or the Doctorate in Nutrition.