Yes, soap arose from mixing ash into animal fats; after a meal cooked over a fire, we would scoop up alkaline ash and pour it into the pot with the rendered fat

Yes, soap arose from mixing ash into animal fats; after a meal cooked over a fire, we would scoop up alkaline ash and pour it into the pot with the rendered fat, creating a natural soap. Similarly, in the beginning, we had hot oceans where monoxides, dioxides, and carbon were pressed against volcanic rock, creating chains of fatty acid. When those fatty acids broke off from the rock and floated in the water, their ability to repel water altered the chemistry around them, leading to protocells. For more details, watch the video I linked. It's not long and it should be accessible for all ages. It's got great animations, too.