Revolutionary Discovery: Ancient Humans Created Fire 400,000 Years Ago - New Evidence Rewrites Human Evolution Timeline

Dec 12, 2025 05:28 pm CST

British scientists have discovered evidence at the Barnham archaeological site in Suffolk showing humans controlled fire 400,000 years ago—350,000 years earlier than previously confirmed. The findings, including baked clay, heat-fractured tools, and iron pyrite fragments, suggest early Neanderthals intentionally created fire, dramatically reshaping our understanding of prehistoric human capabilities and cognitive development.