A groundbreaking discovery in the UK has revealed that humans made fire approximately 350,000 years earlier than previously believed. Evidence of early fire-making, dating back over 400,000 years, was uncovered at a disused clay pit near Barnham, Suffolk. This significant finding shifts the timeline of human fire use from the established record of 50,000 years ago in northern France.
The research team, led by experts from the British Museum, unearthed fire-cracked flint, hand axes, and heated sediments at the site. Notably, two fragments of iron pyrite—a mineral known for its spark-producing properties—were also discovered. The local rarity of this mineral suggests it was intentionally transported to the site, indicating a deliberate effort to produce fire.
Geological studies spanning four years confirmed that the heated clay was not a result of wildfires. Instead, geochemical tests indicated that fire had been used repeatedly at the location, a pattern consistent with human activity rather than natural events.
Impact on Human Evolution
The controlled use of fire had profound implications for human evolution. The study’s authors highlighted that fire increased survival rates in harsh environments by providing warmth and protection from predators. Additionally, it enabled cooking, which expanded the range of safely consumable foods, and created illuminated spaces that fostered social interaction.
Dr. Rob Davis, Project Curator at the British Museum, described the hearth area as approximately “half a metre in diameter,” resembling a small campfire. Professor Chris Stringer from the Natural History Museum suggested that the fires at Barnham were likely created by early Neanderthals, although their exact identity remains uncertain. He noted that during this period, human brain size was increasing significantly.
“There’s no doubt that our brains are energetically expensive,” Professor Stringer explained. “They use about 20 percent of our body energy, so having the ability to make fire would help release nutrition from food, supporting brain function and enabling the evolution of larger brain sizes.”
The timeline of fire use raises intriguing questions about human migration. Stringer pointed out that the people who made fire at Barnham likely possessed knowledge brought from continental Europe, facilitated by a land bridge that existed at the time. He mentioned that a major cold stage around 450,000 years ago may have led to the extinction of inhabitants in Britain, necessitating a complete repopulation.
The Broader Significance
The ability to create fire would have been crucial for early humans moving to colder regions. “Fire provides warmth and a means to ward off wild animals, while also enhancing nutritional intake,” Stringer noted. He speculated that the social aspects of gathering around fires could have even contributed to the development of language.
Professor Nick Ashton, Curator of Palaeolithic Collections at the British Museum, characterized the discovery as the “most exciting” of his 40-year career. The findings are documented in the paper titled “Earliest Evidence of Making Fire,” published in the journal Nature. This discovery not only advances our understanding of early human life but also emphasizes the critical role fire played in shaping human evolution.
