Ancient Evidence of Human Fire-Making Discovered in UK

The earliest known evidence of human fire-making, dating back over 400,000 years, has been discovered in an abandoned clay pit in Barnham, Suffolk. This finding, reported by a team from the British Museum, indicates that humans were creating fire approximately 350,000 years earlier than previously thought, shifting our understanding of early human behavior.

Previously, the oldest evidence of fire use was documented in northern France, dating to about 50,000 years ago. The recent excavation at Barnham revealed fire-cracked flint hand axes, heated sediments, and two fragments of iron pyrite, a mineral known for its ability to produce sparks when struck against flint. Geological studies confirm that iron pyrite is rare in the region, suggesting it was intentionally transported to the site for fire-making.

Significance of the Discovery

The research team, led by Dr. Rob Davis, dedicated four years to confirm that the heated clay was not a result of natural wildfires. Instead, geochemical tests indicated repeated fire use at the same location, a pattern more consistent with human activity. The authors of the study emphasize that the controlled use of fire had significant implications for human evolution, enhancing survival through warmth and protection from predators.

Cooking food, made possible by fire, allowed early humans to expand their diets and consume a wider range of foods safely. Furthermore, the creation of illuminated areas near these fires likely facilitated social interaction and communal activities. Dr. Davis described the hearth area as “about half a metre in diameter, sort of a small campfire,” highlighting the intimate nature of these gatherings.

Implications for Human Evolution

Prominent researcher Professor Chris Stringer from the Natural History Museum posited that the fires at Barnham were likely created by early Neanderthals, although their exact identity remains uncertain. He noted that during this time, human brain size was increasing to levels similar to those seen today.

Professor Stringer explained that the brain is energetically expensive, consuming about 20% of the body’s energy. The ability to make and control fire would have allowed early humans to extract more nutrition from their food, thereby supporting larger brain development.

He remarked, “There’s no doubt that our brains are energetically expensive,” emphasizing that having fire would have provided crucial benefits during colder periods. The discovery of fire use at Barnham suggests that early humans had the knowledge to create fire prior to this site, potentially bringing techniques from continental Europe via land bridges that existed at the time.

Stringer concluded that fire was a vital tool for survival, offering warmth, protection from predators, and improved nutrition. He noted, “Having the use of fire and the ability to make it… really means we’ve got a key aspect, a crucial aspect in human evolution.” The findings at Barnham not only reshape our understanding of early human capabilities but also underline the importance of social interaction around fire, which may have even contributed to the development of language and storytelling.

This remarkable discovery at Barnham pushes back the timeline of fire use significantly and offers profound insights into the lives of our early ancestors, highlighting their ingenuity and adaptability in the face of environmental challenges.