A recent Geoarchaeology study led by William C. Murphree and colleagues investigates three combustion features at the Ukrainian site of Korman’ 9, dated to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Titled “Fire Use During the Last Glacial Maximum: Evidence From the Epigravettian at Korman’ 9, Middle Dniester Valley, Ukraine,” the paper examines how late Ice-Age hunter-gatherers employed fire in this open-air settlement.
Although scientists have long recognized fire as a survival tool in cold climates, detailed hearth remains from the LGM are surprisingly rare. According to the authors, Korman’ 9 fills this gap with high-resolution data from micromorphological samples, colorimetric analyses, and stratigraphic observations of multiple Epigravettian occupation layers. Each layer yielded traces of open, flat hearths, including rubified sediment linked to burning, black organic deposits, and small ash clusters, all consistent with purposeful fire use.
The results show that these Ice-Age foragers relied on wood-based combustion, underscored by limited yet distinctive charcoal and partially carbonized bone fragments. Microscopic analysis reveals extensive post-depositional processes—especially solifluction and bioturbation—that often distorted or dispersed evidence of original hearth structures. Despite these challenges, sophisticated analytical techniques allowed the team to reconstruct local fire practices, including estimates that underlying sediments reached around 600°C.
Researchers say these findings expand our view of Epigravettian site organization. Far from rudimentary fires, inhabitants likely adapted pyrotechnology to the region’s harsh glacial environment.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.