• Oldest evidence of human fire-making identified in Suffolk, England, dating back 415,000 years.
• This discovery indicates Neanderthals could create fire, 350,000 years earlier than previously thought.
• Key artifacts include heated clay, flint handaxes, and iron pyrite used for sparking flames.
• The ability to control fire had significant impacts on social life, nutrition, and human evolution.
• Research suggests Neanderthals were more complex and innovative than previously assumed.

Scientists have discovered the oldest-known evidence of fire-making by prehistoric humans in Suffolk, England, dating back approximately 415,000 years. This significant archaeological find reveals that Neanderthals mastered the skill of fire-making far earlier than previously recognized, as the oldest known evidence before this was about 50,000 years ago in northern France, also linked to Neanderthals, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Researchers identified a repeatedly used hearth in an ancient clay pit near Barnham, consisting of heated clay, flint tools shattered by intense heat, and two pieces of iron pyrite, a mineral that can produce sparks when struck against flint. This indicates that early humans intentionally brought pyrite to the site to start fires, as explained by British Museum archaeologist and study co-author Nick Ashton, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

The controlled use of fire marks a pivotal event in human evolution, facilitating cooking, warmth, and protection against predators. This advancement not only supported survival in colder environments but also made previously inedible foods digestible, allowing early humans to extract more energy from their diets—a critical factor in the development of larger brains, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Al Jazeera.

This finding also underscores the social implications of fire-making, as it provided a central place for gatherings, enhancing communication and cultural development. The ability to converge around a campfire likely fostered social interactions and storytelling, which are integral to developing language and belief systems, said researcher Rob Davis from the British Museum, as cited in South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

Though the Barnham site revealed no human fossils, nearby sites have produced Neanderthal remains, supporting the theory that these early humans were the fire-makers. This discovery challenges previous narratives regarding Neanderthal capabilities, emphasizing their intelligence and ingenuity in comparison with modern humans, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Al Jazeera.