In Barnham, traces of burned earth were recorded, from which a hearth was formed, as well as temperature-fractured flint tools and two pieces of pyrite—a mineral used to create sparks. As CNN emphasizes, these findings indicate that "ancient people, likely Neanderthals, possessed the skills to start and maintain fire."
Nick Ashton, curator of the Paleolithic collections at the British Museum, noted that "this site, dating back 400,000 years, is evidence of the earliest attempts to create fire not only in Britain and Europe but also in the world."
It is worth mentioning that in November, the Associated Press reported that Hungarian archaeologists discovered a Roman sarcophagus sealed about 1,700 years ago. Inside was a nearly perfectly preserved skeleton of a young woman, as well as gold-embroidered clothing and various items, including glass vessels and 140 coins, as well as bronze figurines.
