The beginnings of human use and control of fire has been an important concern for students of human origins since it is crucial for understanding early hominid cultural adaptation and development. Recently, traces of fire in early Pleistocene contexts have been reported at Koobi Fora, Kenya. However, archaeologists lack a methodology to distinguish whether these remains are naturally occurring or the result of human endeavors. To help remedy this situation, the student will conduct a series of actualistic experiments in Zaire and Kenya on the effects of campfires, tree stump fires and grass fires to see how they may be manifested physically and macroscopically in the range of sedimentary environments used by early hominids. The research will result in new methods and techniques to help determine the presence of fire in archaeological sites around the world.
