Scientists find oldest known evidence of humans in Europe using fires to cook

Prehistoric hearths found near Madrid date back about 250,000 years, with nearby tools showing food traces

Prehistoric humans in Europe might have been sitting round campfires built to toast snacks as early as 250,000 years ago – 50,000 years earlier than originally thought, researchers have suggested.

Human species have a long association with fire, with some sites suggesting its controlled use dates back more than 700,000 years in Africa and the Middle East and at least 400,000 years in Europe.