Storiascopio · Era 2 of 12 · primary year 3
Taming fire
about 790,000 years ago · Gesher Benot Ya'aqov, Israel
In short
The oldest traces of fires lit and kept under control are almost 800,000 years old and come from the site of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov, in Israel. Fire gave warmth, light and protection from animals, and made it possible to cook food. When it became an everyday habit is still debated.
Why it matters Cooking food and gathering round the fire changed the way our ancestors lived.
Source: Scientific American, “Scorched Remains Suggest Ancient Humans Were Firestarters”
Where we are in the era “Prehistory”
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about 7 million years agoEvent 6 of 25about 5,300 years ago
Your turn
Name ______________________ Class ______ Date __________
When did it happen? Find the date at the top and write it here:
Tell it in your own words: what happened?
Draw the scene below.
storiascopio.com/en/event/taming-fire/ · free worksheet, you may photocopy it for your class