Oldest evidence of deliberate fire use found in England

"Researchers identified the remains of a repeatedly used campfire, including heated clay, flint tools shattered by intense heat and two pieces of iron pyrite a mineral that sparks when struck against flint to ignite tinder. We think humans brought pyrite to the site with the intention of making fire. And this has huge implications, pushing back the earliest fire-making, said archaeologist Nick Ashton, curator of Palaeolithic Collections at the British Museum in London."

"Fire was a crucial turning point in human evolution. Controlled flames allowed ancient hunter-gatherers to live in colder environments, cook food, and protect themselves from predators. Cooking also helped our ancestors get more energy from meat, roots and tubers, fuelling the growth of larger brains and enabling communities to support more people. Scientists say fire likely transformed social life as well. It brought people together at night to share warmth, food and conversation, possibly encouraging storytelling, language and cultural beliefs."

Archaeological remains from a former clay pit near Barnham in Suffolk show a hearth created by Neanderthals about 415,000 years ago. Repeatedly used campfire evidence includes heated clay, flint tools shattered by intense heat, and two pieces of iron pyrite capable of producing sparks when struck against flint. The presence of pyrite suggests deliberate transport and intention to ignite tinder. This pushes intentional fire-making back roughly 350,000 years earlier than prior evidence linked to Neanderthals in northern France. Controlled fire enabled cooking, warmth, protection, expanded habitation into colder climates, greater caloric intake supporting larger brains, and transformed social interactions around communal campfires.

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