Core Insights - The latest research published in *Nature* indicates that early humans may have consciously controlled fire as far back as 400,000 years ago, earlier than the previously believed timeline of 350,000 years ago, suggesting a significant behavioral shift in human evolution [2][3] - The ability to create and maintain fire is identified as a crucial milestone in human development, providing warmth, protection from predators, and the ability to cook food, which expanded dietary options [2] - Evidence of fire usage at human habitation sites dates back over a million years, but pinpointing when humans learned to control fire has been challenging [2] Findings from the Research - The research team from the British Museum discovered heated sediment and flint tools with fire-related cracks in ancient soil dating back approximately 415,000 years in Barnham, Suffolk, indicating that humans at that site had the ability to control fire [2] - The presence of two fragments of iron pyrite, a rare mineral in the area, suggests that it was intentionally brought to the site for fire-starting purposes, indicating a deliberate approach to fire usage [2] - These findings collectively demonstrate the complexity of human behavior 400,000 years ago, with early humans likely understanding the properties of iron pyrite as a fire-starting tool, which could have significant implications for cooking and the evolution of the human brain [3]