Oldest evidence of deliberate fire use found in England

Al JazeeraEN 2 min read 100% complete by Caolán MageeDecember 10, 2025 at 08:44 PM

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Scientists have discovered the oldest evidence of deliberate fire-making in Barnham, Suffolk, Britain, dating back approximately 415,000 years. This discovery, found in a former clay pit, pushes back the known timeline of human fire creation by 350,000 years. The site contains a Neanderthal-made hearth with heated clay, heat-shattered flint tools, and iron pyrite, suggesting the deliberate sparking of fires. Previously, the earliest evidence of human-made fire was found in France and dated to around 50,000 years ago. This finding indicates that Neanderthals understood how to start fires, a crucial skill that enabled them to live in colder climates, cook food, and develop socially.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Britain 60% Barnham 70% British Museum 70% Suffolk 80% Nick Ashton 80% Neanderthals ×290%

Keywords

deliberate fire use 100% fire-making 90% prehistoric humans 80% neanderthals 70% human evolution 60% archaeology 60% iron pyrite 50% flint tools 50% barnham 40%