A study published in Quaternary Science Reviews reveals that early humans settled at Gesher Benot Ya’aqov in northern Israel approximately 780,000 years ago based on the availability of driftwood along the ancient Hula Lake shoreline, using the wood as a readily accessible fuel source for maintaining fire.
The research, led by Nira Alperson-Afil of Bar-Ilan University’s Institute of Archaeology, analyzed 266 charcoal fragments from the site, identifying a diverse range of plant species including ash, willow, grape, oleander, olive, oak, pistachio, and pomegranate, with ash comprising over half of the samples.
This species diversity indicates a mixed environment of wetlands near the water and open woodland areas, reflecting the immediate availability of vegetation rather than selective harvesting.
Ethel Allué, archaeobotanist at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, noted that the exceptional preservation of charcoal at this 800,000-year-old site allowed researchers to reconstruct detailed patterns of fire utilize, which is rare due to the typical degradation of organic material over such timescales.
The findings show that proximity to reliable firewood reduced the energy expenditure required to maintain fire for warmth, cooking, and protection, directly influencing settlement decisions.
Excavations directed by Naama Goren-Inbar uncovered more than 20 occupational layers at Gesher Benot Ya’aqov, indicating sustained use across generations and confirming the location’s long-term advantages over surrounding areas.
Associated archaeological evidence includes butchered remains of a straight-tusked elephant and carp teeth found alongside burned stone fragments, demonstrating on-site food processing and cooking activities organized around hearths.
The spatial organization of tools, food remains, and fire-related materials at the site reflects a structured domestic environment where fire served as a central hub for daily survival tasks.
These patterns illustrate how early human groups adapted their behavior to minimize effort by leveraging environmentally available resources, a strategy that persists in human decision-making today.
