A burning discovery: the first human firestarters lived 350,000 years earlier than thought?

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A burning discovery: the first human firestarters lived 350,000 years earlier than thought?  Archaeologists in Britain have uncovered new evidence which suggests humankind's ability to master fire is some 350,000 years older than previously thought.  READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/11/a-burning-discovery-the-first-human-firestarters-lived-350000-years-earlier-than-thought  Spark your senses, wake your wonder. Euronews Culture seeks to show creativity in action and inspire our audience to explore the world through the five senses. Start your journey through the best of Europe's arts, gastronomy, traditions and high-end craftsmanship.

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00:00Archaeologists in the United Kingdom have uncovered the earliest evidence of humans making fire at 400,000 years old.

00:09It has long been known that ancient humans used naturally occurring fire more than one million years ago,

00:15but it has remained unclear when exactly humans learned to create and control fire themselves.

00:21We have this evidence for a fireplace. We have next to it archaeology artifacts made by Neanderthals.

00:28But what really makes this site extraordinary is the discovery of these two little fragments.

00:34And this is just a tiny little fragment of iron pyrite.

00:38So this is a mineral that can be used for striking.

00:43You strike it with flint and it creates sparks. So it's part of a fire lighting kit.

00:49So this is evidence that not only were Neanderthals using fire at this site,

00:53but they were also making the fire using flint and pyrite.

00:59The archaeological team spent four years analyzing the materials to rule out natural wildfires.

01:05Tests showed temperatures above 700 degrees Celsius and repeated burning in the same location,

01:11indicating a hearth was used multiple times.

01:14Other fossils of the same age were found in Britain and Spain, exhibiting traits linked to Neanderthals.

01:20.

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