Archaeologists in Suffolk, England, have uncovered what may be the oldest-known evidence of deliberate fire use by humans, pushing back the timeline for fire-making by Neanderthals by approximately 350,000 years.

The discovery was made at a former clay pit near the village of Barnham, where researchers identified a hearth dating back around 415,000 years. This evidence predates previously known fire-making sites, which were thought to be only 50,000 years old, also associated with Neanderthals in northern France.

Evidence of Early Fire-Making

The Barnham site contains a repeatedly used campfire, including:

• Heated clay fragments
• Flint tools shattered by intense heat
• Two pieces of iron pyrite, a mineral capable of sparking when struck against flint to ignite tinder

Archaeologist Nick Ashton, curator of Palaeolithic Collections at the British Museum in London, explained:

“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.”

While older evidence exists of humans taking advantage of naturally occurring wildfires in Africa, Barnham provides the earliest proof of deliberate fire-starting, demonstrating advanced planning and technological understanding by prehistoric humans.

The Role of Fire in Human Evolution

Controlled fire was a major turning point in human development. It enabled hunter-gatherers to:

• Survive in colder climates
• Cook food, increasing caloric intake
• Protect themselves from predators

Cooking allowed early humans to gain more energy from meat, roots, and tubers, fueling larger brain development and supporting larger social groups.

Fire likely also transformed social life, as people gathered around flames for warmth, food, and conversation. This may have fostered storytelling, language, and cultural practices.

British Museum archaeologist Rob Davis, co-author of the study, said:

“The campfire becomes a social hub. We’re a species who have used fire to shape the world around us – and now we know Neanderthals were doing this far earlier than we thought, just like us.”

Significance of the Barnham Hearth

Tests indicate that the fire at Barnham was repeatedly used at temperatures above 700°C (1,292°F), supporting the conclusion that it was deliberately started rather than relying on natural flames. Researchers spent four years analyzing the materials to confirm the hearth’s age and human origin.

The discovery highlights the innovation of Neanderthals and possibly other relatives, such as Denisovans, showing they mastered critical survival skills long before modern humans appeared.

This finding reshapes our understanding of prehistoric technology, culture, and the evolution of early human societies.