Oldest evidence of fire-lighting comes from early humans in Britain

New ScientistWednesday, December 10, 2025 at 4:00:06 PM
NeutralScience
Oldest evidence of fire-lighting comes from early humans in Britain
  • An excavation in Suffolk, UK, has revealed evidence that early humans used pyrite and flint to create fire approximately 400,000 years ago. This finding significantly predates the previously accepted timeline of fire usage by humans, which was thought to be around 50,000 years ago.
  • This discovery is crucial as it reshapes the understanding of human evolution and technological advancement, suggesting that early humans possessed the cognitive and practical skills necessary for fire-making much earlier than previously believed.
  • The implications of this finding extend to broader discussions about human adaptability and survival strategies in prehistoric environments, challenging long-held assumptions about the timeline of human innovation and the development of essential survival skills.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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