Homo erectus *used* fire, but there is no conclusive evidence that they were able to *create* fire. However, since fire-making devices at the time would be pretty much limited to sticks and stones, it may be hard to distinguish them from the rest of the debris found in a prehistoric firepit.

It is certain that Homo erectus were able to reason and to communicate complex ideas. They hunted big game, including hippos and possibly elephants, and often butchered their prey at locations set aside for the purpose. In addition, the use of fire requires the abilities to find, exploit, and possibly create fire as well as the ability to teach fire-related skills to others. All of these behaviors require a certain degree of both reasoning and language. While Homo erectus may or may not have been capable of complex speech, they were certainly capable of making different vocal sounds as well as gestures and facial expressions, and speech is not a prerequisite for language (as demonstrated by the various sign languages used by the hearing-impaired).
Source(s):
http://www.anth.ucsb.edu/faculty/walker/classes/anth121/121%20Homo%20erectu...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Making_fire

Asker's Rating:

Permalink | Report