Origins Lunchtime Talk :Conquering the North - the first humans in Britain

About

Over the last million years northern Europe has undergone huge changes in environment. At times ice-sheets have reached London, while it has also enjoyed a Mediterranean climate.

Until recently it was thought that early humans only reached northern latitudes 500,000 years ago, but new excavations at Happisburgh by the British Museum show humans surviving in boreal forest over 800,000 years ago.

The rich evidence from the site such as bones, plant remains and even beetles show they were occupying the banks of the ancient river Thames with herds of horse, elephant and rhinos grazing the valley floor, surrounded by coniferous forest.

This talk with Dr Nick Ashton investigates how early humans survived the cold winters and whether they had clothing, shelter or fire.

Dr Nick Ashton has worked at the British Museum for over 25 years where he has specialised in the early Palaeolithic of Europe. He has directed excavations at the Suffolk sites of High Lodge, Barnham, Elveden and Hoxne and is currently excavating at Happisburgh on the Norfolk coast.

His main research interests are the earliest occupation of Europe, the innovation of technology through environmental change and the development of Britain as an island. He has published extensively on these topics and is currently Deputy Director of the Leverhulme-funded Ancient Human Occupation of Britain Project (AHOB).