PubHawk
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A May 2012 PMID 22474385

Microstratigraphic evidence of in situ fire in the Acheulean strata of Wonderwerk Cave, Northern Cape province, South Africa.

Francesco Berna, Paul Goldberg, Liora Kolska Horwitz, James Brink, Sharon Holt, Marion Bamford, Michael Chazan

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Mentions

83
Peak: 4 in Dec 2022
across 7 sources since May 2021

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1,026,358
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Total likes

14,764

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940,239

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May 2021 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News38 articles
  • Blogs23 articles
  • X / Twitter9 posts
  • Facebook6 posts
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  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions among users frequently reference the archaeological significance of fire use around 1 million years ago, with examples like mentions of Wonderwerk Cave and other ancient sites, illustrating a collective recognition of its importance in human evolution; the tone suggests that many see this as a major breakthrough that deepens our understanding of early technology and behavior.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of the findings, with some explicitly supporting the idea that fire use was present in early human history.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate a high level of interest, referencing related archaeological sites and emphasizing the significance of early fire usage for human evolution.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some comments delve into detailed discussions about the implications of the evidence, and others reference scientific studies and examples, indicating moderate to deep engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

Many consider this discovery highly impactful, highlighting how it reshapes understanding of early human behavior and technological development.

Abstract in brief

  • The study provides clear evidence that early humans controlled fire around 10 million years ago in Wonderwerk Cave, South Africa, based on microscopic analysis of sediments showing burned bones and plant remains.
  • It highlights that controlling fire was a major development in human evolution, marking a crucial turning point.
  • This discovery is significant because it represents the earliest known instance of burning in an archaeological context, offering new insights into early human behavior and technology.]
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Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Gabriel Rocha
@paleorocha · X

Gostou do fio? Compartilha ai pô! E pra algumas referências, ta na mão: Koobi Fora: https://t.co/kmmbSP70DF Wonderwerk: https://t.co/hQ1j0VhFtn Gesher Benot: https://t.co/R66AtVIbIU Qesem: https://t.co/CEikFVIQtr

Nov 19, 2022 · 56 likes · 6 shares · 7,449 followers View post →
Alex Richter-Boix
@BoixRichter · X

https://t.co/2p2L9fCtCY

Dec 14, 2022 · 45 likes · 1 share · 51,629 followers View post →
シンバイオシス株式会社（腸内フローラ移植）　-目に見えないものたちの力で新しい常識をつくる-
@shinbiosis · X

洞窟の中の料理　旧石器時代の炭化植物遺体：FranchthiとShanidarから https://t.co/0NhKHIRLSE 南アフリカ共和国、北ケープ州、Wonderwerk洞窟のアシュリアン地層における原位置火災の微層序学的証拠 https://t.co/AZaApWIRVR

Dec 15, 2022 · 15 likes · 1 share · 6,479 followers View post →
Veg_analytic
@Veganalytic · X

[1] Feu maitrisé ~1Ma : Berna et al, PNAS 2011 https://t.co/Ao246Ruut7 [2] Consommat° de glucide cuit -0,6Ma : Fellows Yates et al, PNAS 2021 https://t.co/bFQZRkzDWk [3] Citations: Neanderthals carb loaded, helping grow their big brains, Science 2021 https://t.co/1XqTkeDTxU 16/16

May 26, 2021 · 14 likes · 1,440 followers View post →
Tom Finnell
@d2fl · X

@marianoforgiato @Fezz4Fezz @TheHoneyMa Yes, fire was first used in Africa. Prove me wrong. https://t.co/etxhZiuBnm

Mar 25, 2023 · 13,848 followers View post →
Robson Freire
@robsongfreire · X

RT @paleorocha: Gostou do fio? Compartilha ai pô! E pra algumas referências, ta na mão: Koobi Fora: https://t.co/kmmbSP70DF Wonderwerk: ht…

Nov 20, 2022 · 6 shares · 4,754 followers View post →

All mentions

Eileen Shepherd
@eileenshepherd.bsky.social · Bluesky

Microstratigraphic evidence of in situ #fire in the #Acheulean strata of #WonderwerkCave, Northern Cape province, #SouthAfrica Proof that that burning took place in the cave during the early Acheulean occupation, approximately 1.0 Ma. #humanevolution www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Oct 15, 2025 View post →
Tom Finnell
@d2fl · X

@marianoforgiato @Fezz4Fezz @TheHoneyMa Yes, fire was first used in Africa. Prove me wrong. https://t.co/etxhZiuBnm

Mar 25, 2023 · 13,848 followers View post →
Abe
@tlahtimin · X

RT @BoixRichter: https://t.co/2p2L9fCtCY

Dec 15, 2022 · 1 share · 73 followers View post →
egelztzXXQQfpMf
@egelztzXXQQfpMf · X

RT @shinbiosis: 洞窟の中の料理　旧石器時代の炭化植物遺体：FranchthiとShanidarから https://t.co/0NhKHIRLSE 南アフリカ共和国、北ケープ州、Wonderwerk洞窟のアシュリアン地層における原位置火災の微層序学的証拠 ht…

Dec 15, 2022 · 1 share · 386 followers View post →
シンバイオシス株式会社（腸内フローラ移植）　-目に見えないものたちの力で新しい常識をつくる-
@shinbiosis · X

洞窟の中の料理　旧石器時代の炭化植物遺体：FranchthiとShanidarから https://t.co/0NhKHIRLSE 南アフリカ共和国、北ケープ州、Wonderwerk洞窟のアシュリアン地層における原位置火災の微層序学的証拠 https://t.co/AZaApWIRVR

Dec 15, 2022 · 15 likes · 1 share · 6,479 followers View post →
Alex Richter-Boix
@BoixRichter · X

https://t.co/2p2L9fCtCY

Dec 14, 2022 · 45 likes · 1 share · 51,629 followers View post →
Robson Freire
@robsongfreire · X

RT @paleorocha: Gostou do fio? Compartilha ai pô! E pra algumas referências, ta na mão: Koobi Fora: https://t.co/kmmbSP70DF Wonderwerk: ht…

Nov 20, 2022 · 6 shares · 4,754 followers View post →
Tiago Sanches Baum
@sechnasmuab · X

RT @paleorocha: Gostou do fio? Compartilha ai pô! E pra algumas referências, ta na mão: Koobi Fora: https://t.co/kmmbSP70DF Wonderwerk: ht…

Nov 20, 2022 · 6 shares · 17 followers View post →
Gabriel Rocha
@paleorocha · X

Gostou do fio? Compartilha ai pô! E pra algumas referências, ta na mão: Koobi Fora: https://t.co/kmmbSP70DF Wonderwerk: https://t.co/hQ1j0VhFtn Gesher Benot: https://t.co/R66AtVIbIU Qesem: https://t.co/CEikFVIQtr

Nov 19, 2022 · 56 likes · 6 shares · 7,449 followers View post →
Veg_analytic
@Veganalytic · X

[1] Feu maitrisé ~1Ma : Berna et al, PNAS 2011 https://t.co/Ao246Ruut7 [2] Consommat° de glucide cuit -0,6Ma : Fellows Yates et al, PNAS 2021 https://t.co/bFQZRkzDWk [3] Citations: Neanderthals carb loaded, helping grow their big brains, Science 2021 https://t.co/1XqTkeDTxU 16/16

May 26, 2021 · 14 likes · 1,440 followers View post →