Oldest Fire Starter Found in England

In a field in eastern England, scientists have found proof that humans made fire a long time ago. This is the oldest proof ever found. The proof includes baked earth, broken flint axes, and two pieces of pyrite. Pyrite is a type of stone that can make sparks. This shows that early humans, likely Neanderthals, could make and control fire. Making fire was a big deal. It helped humans stay warm, cook food, and scare away animals. It also helped them make tools and stick together as a group. The artifacts found are much older than any other proof of fire-making. Before this, the oldest proof was from northern France. But how do we know for sure that humans made this fire? Scientists looked at the red dirt and saw that it was different from dirt burned by natural fires. They also found pyrite, which isn't found in that area. This shows that humans knew how to use it to make fire. Fire is a big deal. It helps people do more things and live better. But if you can't control it, you're still at the mercy of nature. Control fire, and you control your world. The flint axes show that humans were there, even though no bones were found. Neanderthals lived nearby, so they are the most likely candidates. This discovery is important. It shows that humans were making fire earlier than we thought. It also shows that they knew how to use different materials to make fire. This could help us understand more about how humans lived in the past.