Fire Pits: A Historical Overview

January 30, 2019 10:39 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Are you considering having a fire pit put in your backyard, or in the patio area of your business? Maybe you already have a fire pit, and love it so much that you want to learn more about them.

As a custom fireplace contractor in Seattle, WA, we know that adding a fire pit to any space will immediately make it more cozy, inviting, attractive and valuable. But something you might not know about is where fire pits come from, and the rich history behind them.

With that in mind, here is a historical overview of fire pits, from your custom fireplace contractor in Seattle, WA.

The first fire pits

When humans first discovered fire in prehistoric times, fire pits played an important role in the very first human societies. While other humans hunted, gathered and performed other duties, one person would be the assigned fire watcher. They would watch the fire pit and make sure the fire wasn’t extinguished, and that it did not spread beyond the fire pit.

Nomadic cultures would often cut a hole in the earth, truly creating a primitive fire pit that, in essence, is not very different from the fire pits we use today! When you enjoy the fire pit in your backyard, you are taking part in an ancient tradition that is unique to the human race.

Archaeological insight

Did you know that the remains of ancient fire pits have helped scientists learn more about the history of humankind? Archaeologists use carbon dating to determine how old a particular ancient fire pit is, and then use that information to study the fire pit’s surroundings to figure out how the society lived, and why. Fire pits are immensely helpful in placing certain societies in certain historical timelines.

Fire pits are called “features” in archaeological sites. For archaeological purposes, a feature is something that can be studied, but cannot be moved from the actual site.

Fire pits today

Today, humans use fire pits for many of the same reasons ancient cultures did: to keep warm, to gather around and socialize and sometimes even for roasting the occasional marshmallow or other tasty treat!

There is something about a warm, crackling fire that makes people want to gather around it and share stories, and that impulse probably dates back to ancient times, before people had distractions like phones, computers and TVs. A fire pit is a great way to add a warm, inviting element to your backyard. Whether you are socializing or just spending time with family, it will help people feel free to gather, chat and linger by the fire.

Are you interested in adding a fire pit to your outdoor space? If so, you will need a custom fireplace contractor in Seattle, WA who is experienced, has a strong attention to detail and can deliver a high-quality product.

We hope you will trust the team at Custom Fire Art with your new fire pit. Our team looks forward to helping you bring a bit of human history to your backyard!

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