Archaeologists have uncovered solid evidence that early humans not only settled in Britain more than 700,000 years ago but also survived through one of the most severe Ice Age periods in northern Europe.
The discovery, made at Old Park in Canterbury, Kent, challenges long-standing beliefs that the region was uninhabitable during extreme glacial conditions.
The findings, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, indicate that Homo heidelbergensis, an early human species considered a direct ancestor of Neanderthals, occupied the area between 712,000 and 621,000 years ago.
A team from the University of Cambridge, along with partner researchers, recovered thousands of stone tools from deep layers of gravel and river sands—some of the oldest known artifacts from northern Europe.
Glacial survival revealed in ancient tools
Earlier discoveries of stone tools in Canterbury date back to the 1920s. However, a new round of excavations, which began in 2020, revealed much older geological layers.
The site’s unique terrain, with well-preserved and elevated gravel deposits, allowed researchers to access sediments rarely found intact elsewhere in Britain.
The most significant discovery came from soil layers dated to around 440,000 years ago, during the Anglian glaciation—one of the coldest periods in European prehistory. In these layers, archaeologists found sharp-edged flint tools embedded in undisturbed gravel and sand.
The tools’ condition led researchers to conclude that they were crafted and left on site, likely buried quickly before erosion could wear them down.
Nick Ashton of the British Museum explained that this level of preservation points to human activity during the height of the Ice Age. The discovery overturns previous assumptions that humans only returned to Britain during warmer periods.
Adapting to harsh environments
Microscopic plant remains found at the site suggest the region was once a cold grassland that supported now-extinct animals such as rhinoceroses and horses.
While it’s still unclear whether these early human groups stayed year-round or migrated seasonally, their presence in such a harsh environment raises new questions.
Researchers believe they may have used animal hides for warmth, built shelters, or tracked animal herds to survive.
The excavation also revealed two distinct types of Acheulean handaxes—one elongated and roughly made, the other finely shaped and ovate.
Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum noted that these differences likely represent separate populations, possibly separated by as much as 200,000 years, each with unique cultural practices or toolmaking techniques.
Work at Old Park continues, with researchers analyzing thousands of artifacts and environmental samples. The site now stands as one of Britain’s most significant windows into how ancient humans adapted and endured during a brutal Ice Age.
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