On Tue, 14 Jan 2003 14:32:18 +0100, Amadeus Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> Philip Thrift wrote:
>> The extensiveness of the use of cooking technology by paleolithic era
>> humans suggests that "raw paleo" may be something of an oxymoron.
>
>Philipp, how do you come to the idea that cooking technology was
used "extensive" in the paleolithic era? And even to the point calling the
raw !oxymoron"?
>Not that I would argue against the early use of fire.
>At last I tend to accept the Wrangham fire theories.
>
>But what we have is just few stone herds and redened areas.
>Not the slightest indication of the frequency of use for cooking.
>
>In addition:
>no cooking pots - meat would loose its fat, strongly limiting its
usefulness over a fire
>no shure points after which time the ability to *start* a fire arose.
>
>I think raw paleo is the most paleo paleo.
>
>regards
>
>Amadeus
>


There is ample evidence of cooking from hearths excavated in
paleolithic sites; it seems safe to say cooking was wide-spread
from 100,000 BP on:

   http://anthro.palomar.edu/homo2/archaic_culture.htm

There has been noted elsewhere of using giant turtle shells for cooking
or other improvised methods. They were apparently as clever in using
stone technology for cooking as for hunting.

Philip Thrift