[lend000]

If any skeptic here likes nature documentaries, I'd recommend "Our Great National Parks" on Netflix. I found it unique in that it documented exceptionally intelligent and complex behavior by a number of animals we don't normally consider as being intelligent. For example, tool use by mongooses (cracking a snail shell with a rock) and a monkey riding a deer for fun, as well as frequent cooperation between species.

I don't find it so difficult to believe that a slightly larger encephalization quotient than our nearest competitors (chimps) could lead to an ability to control fire.

[Phithagoras]

I love nature documentaries, I'll have a look at that one!

I agree, lots of animals use tools in one way or another. Starting or even just controlling a chemical reaction does seem like a big step above mechanical methods though. I wouldn't really be that surprised overall if we eventually discover that H. Naledi or other hominids had some control of fire. I will be surprised if the Dinaledi site turns out to be the first evidence of it

[blincoln]

> a monkey riding a deer for fun

I used to have a neighbour with a goat and chickens, and at least one of the chickens would ride around on the goat's back. There are a decent number of YouTube videos of other chickens riding goats, so it seems fairly common.

[jjtheblunt]

> we don't normally consider as being intelligent

I'm curious what "we" you refer to, because I've seen years of articles about tool use and play and intelligence across all sorts of mammals and birds.