What were the first cultures to use dry cooking technique?

It's difficult to pinpoint the *first* cultures to use dry cooking techniques, as cooking practices developed gradually over a long period of time. However, we can look at some early evidence:

Early Evidence of Dry Cooking:

* Stone Age: While evidence is limited, some researchers believe early humans used dry cooking methods like roasting over fire, perhaps as early as 1.5 million years ago. This is based on the discovery of charred animal bones in early hominid sites.

* Neolithic Era (10,000 BCE onwards): With the development of agriculture, pottery, and hearths, more sophisticated dry cooking methods likely emerged. Evidence of ovens and hearths from this period suggests techniques like baking and roasting became more common.

Specific Cultures and Early Dry Cooking:

* Ancient Mesopotamia (c. 3500-539 BCE): This civilization was known for its advanced agriculture and culinary skills. Evidence from archaeological sites suggests they employed various dry cooking methods, including roasting, baking, and grilling.

* Ancient Egypt (c. 3100-30 BCE): Ancient Egyptians used a variety of cooking techniques, including dry cooking methods. Their ovens, made of clay, allowed for baking bread and other foods.

* Ancient China (c. 2070 BCE onwards): Dry cooking techniques, like roasting and grilling, were practiced in ancient China. Their culinary traditions evolved over centuries, with evidence of sophisticated ovens and other cooking technologies.

Important Note: It's crucial to recognize that our knowledge of early cooking practices is largely based on archaeological evidence. While we can make educated guesses, we cannot definitively say which culture *first* used a specific dry cooking technique.

The development of dry cooking likely occurred gradually across different cultures, adapting to available resources and knowledge.