Homo ergaster
The ability to control fire probably began in "Homo erectus" (or "Homo ergaster"), probably at least 790,000 years ago but perhaps as early as 1.5 Ma. The use and discovery of controlled fire may even predate "Homo erectus". Fire was possibly used by the early Lower Paleolithic (Oldowan) hominid "Homo habilis" or strong australopithecines such as "Paranthropus."