Oldest Evidence of Fire Starting Revealed
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Evidence Suggests Controlled Fire Use in Europe 800,000 Years Ago
New evidence unearthed at Barnham, suffolk, in the United Kingdom, suggests that early humans-likely
Homo heidelbergensis-controlled fire as early as 800,000 years ago.
This finding, published in the journal Nature on february 28, 2024, pushes back the earliest known evidence of human fire use in Europe by over 300,000 years.
The findings consist of burnt wood and flint fragments discovered during archaeological excavations at a former river terrace.
Crucially,the burnt materials were found in association with stone tools,indicating deliberate human activity rather than natural fires like wildfires.
The Barnham Discovery: What Was Found?
The archaeological site at Barnham yielded several key pieces of evidence:
- Burnt Wood: Fragments of charred wood, demonstrating exposure to high temperatures.
- Burnt Flint: Flint fragments exhibiting heat alteration, suggesting they were used in fire-starting activities.
- Pyrite Nodules: Two pyrite fragments, potentially used to create sparks when struck against flint. These fragments appear to have broken off a larger nodule during impact.
- Stone Tools: The presence of stone tools alongside the burnt materials indicates intentional human use of fire.
The two pyrite fragments at the side may have broken off a larger nodule when it was struck against a piece of flint.
Credit: Jordan Man
Why This Discovery Matters
Prior to this discovery, the earliest widely accepted evidence of controlled fire use in Europe dated back approximately 500,000 years ago, found at sites in Spain.
The Barnham findings considerably extend this timeline, suggesting that early humans in Europe were mastering fire technology much earlier than previously thought.
Fire provided numerous advantages to early humans, including:
- Warmth: Protection from cold climates.
- Cooking: Making food more digestible and nutritious.
- Predator Deterrence: Keeping perilous animals at bay.
- Social Gathering: Providing a central point for social interaction.
- Toolmaking: Potentially aiding in the production of certain stone tools.
What Species Controlled the Fire?
While the exact species responsible for controlling the fire at Barnham remains uncertain, researchers believe it was likely Homo heidelbergensis, the hominin species known to have inhabited Europe during that period.