The first sparks: a revolutionary discovery from ancient Britain

Join us for the first event in a brand-new series of curator-led talks, Extraordinary histories, to find out how a remarkable archaeological discovery is transforming our knowledge of humanity's ability to make fire.

Join Prof Nick Ashton, who led the excavations at Barnham, Suffolk, as he reveals groundbreaking evidence that proves humans were making fire more than 400,000 years ago - around 350,000 years earlier than previously thought. The discovery is reshaping our understanding of a pivotal moment in human history.

The ability to make and control fire marked a critical turning point in human evolution. It provided warmth, light and protection, helped our ancestors thrive in harsher environments, and created opportunities for socialising, storytelling and sharing knowledge. In many ways, it laid the foundations for the complex societies we live in today.

Hear directly from Prof Ashton, Curator of Palaeolithic Collections, to learn what these extraordinary findings reveal about human innovation, survival and the deep history of a technology that changed the world.

Discover how humanity's first sparks ignited a revolution that still shapes our lives today.