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Ancient Neanderthals: Earliest Evidence of Fire Control Found

12/10/2025

24 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Archaeologists report the earliest known evidence of humans controlling fire, dating to 400,000 years ago at Barnham, eastern England.
The site includes baked earth and iron pyrite used to create sparks, suggesting Neanderthals could make and maintain fires.
The discovery is 350,000 years older than the previous record.
The study was published in Nature.
The report notes the difficulty of finding evidence due to the transience of fire remnants.

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Story summary

Archaeologists report the earliest known evidence of humans controlling fire, dating to 400,000 years ago at Barnham, eastern England.
The site includes baked earth and iron pyrite used to create sparks, suggesting Neanderthals could make and maintain fires.
The discovery is 350,000 years older than the previous record.
The study was published in Nature.
The report notes the difficulty of finding evidence due to the transience of fire remnants.