Steve's Herpetological Blog

An insight into the life of Steve, his research and the many books he reads

#MuseumMonday

#MuseumMonday: Britain – One Million Years of the Human Story

If you read my previous post on Mammoths: Ice Age Giants, this one probably won’t surprise you. If you haven’t then let me bring you up to speed quickly. I recently stumbled upon an old memory card that I used to store all my photos on as I found them more stable than USB drives. Some of the photos on this old card were of exhibitions held years before at the Natural History Museum. The next of these I want to share with you was Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story, which was a landmark exhibition, running from 13th February to 28th September 2014. Drawing on over a decade of research by the Ancient Human Occupation of Britain (AHOB) project, the exhibition chronicled the dramatic saga of human presence in Britain over the past million years, offering visitors an immersive journey through deep time.

The rear of a butchered rhinoceros skill demonstrating that Homo heidelbergensis used a stone tool to reach the brain inside

As a quick summary of how we got here, human evolution began in Africa and is a complex journey that spans millions of years, marked by the emergence of several key hominin species. The earliest known potential human ancestors, such as Sahelanthropus tchadensis, appeared around 7 million years ago. This was followed by Australopithecus afarensis, which lived between 3.9 and 2.9 million years ago and is best known from the famous “Lucy” skeleton. Australopithecus species were bipedal but still retained some adaptations for climbing. Around 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago, Homo habilis emerged as one of the first members of our genus, showing increased brain size and evidence of tool use. This was followed by Homo erectus, appearing around 1.9 million years ago, who exhibited a more modern body structure and was the first hominin to migrate out of Africa. Eventually, Homo sapiens, our own species, evolved in Africa around 300,000 years ago, distinguished by advanced cognitive abilities, complex tools, and symbolic behaviour. This means that some of the human species within this exhibition were others to our own, which I think is pretty damn cool. It is a shame that these other human species didn’t survive to the modern day, except for being relics in our own genome.

The Red Lady of Paviland, a partial human skeleton discovered in Goat’s Hole Cave (Paviland Cave) on the Gower Peninsula in Wales in 1823. It is now known that the skeleton belongs to a male that was buried approximately 34,000 years ago

The exhibition began with a striking display of four reconstructed human heads, representing different species that once inhabited Britain: Homo antecessor, Homo heidelbergensis, Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals), and early Homo sapiens (modern humans). These lifelike models, crafted using the latest forensic techniques, provided a visceral connection to our ancient ancestors. Accompanying these were rare fossil specimens, including the Boxgrove tibia, dating back approximately 500,000 years, and the Swanscombe skull fragments, offering tangible links to Britain’s prehistoric inhabitants. As I am sure many of you will agree, staring into the eyes of a skull often evokes a profound mix of emotions: curiosity, awe, melancholy, and even existential reflection. The empty eye sockets, once windows to a living person’s thoughts, dreams, and fears, now seem hauntingly silent, yet oddly expressive. This confrontation with mortality can stir a deep sense of wonder about who the person was, what they experienced, and what thoughts once passed behind those now-hollow spaces. There’s a quiet reverence in such moments, an eerie but compelling reminder that every skull was once part of a life rich with emotion, awareness, and identity. I always end up wondering what the skulls could tell us if they could talk, and this exhibit was no different.

Side-by-side comparisons of the skulls of Homo sapiens (our own species) and Homo heidelbergensis

One of the exhibition’s most ground-breaking revelations was the evidence of human activity in Britain dating back nearly 1,000,000 years as the tile would suggest, significantly earlier than previously believed. This was showcased through stone tools and butchered animal bones from sites like Happisburgh in Norfolk and Pakefield in Suffolk. The discovery of ancient footprints at Happisburgh, the oldest outside Africa, provided a poignant glimpse into the lives of these early pioneers. Additionally, the Boxgrove tibia is a remarkable fossil discovery that provides one of the earliest pieces of evidence for human presence in Britain. Unearthed in 1993 at the Boxgrove site in West Sussex, the tibia (shinbone) belonged to an early hominin, likely Homo heidelbergensis, and is estimated to be around 500,000 years old. This robust bone suggests the individual was tall and powerfully built, indicating a physically demanding lifestyle suited to hunting and survival in a challenging environment. Alongside the tibia, archaeologists found flint tools and butchered animal bones, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of early humans in prehistoric Europe. The Boxgrove tibia remains one of the most significant human fossils found in the UK, contributing valuable insights into the early human populations during the Middle Pleistocene.

The Boxgrove tibia, which likely belonged to Homo heidelbergensis, and is estimated to be around 500,000 years old

The exhibition adeptly illustrated how fluctuating climates and changing landscapes influenced human habitation in Britain. Through interactive maps and environmental reconstructions, visitors learned about periods when Britain was a tundra teeming with megafauna like mammoths, and times when it was entirely uninhabitable due to glaciation. These shifts underscored the resilience and adaptability of human species in the face of environmental challenges. During glacial periods, much of Britain was covered by ice or rendered uninhabitable by harsh, arctic conditions, forcing early humans to retreat south into more temperate regions of Europe. In contrast, during interglacial periods (such as the Hoxnian and Ipswichian) warmer climates transformed Britain into a rich, habitable landscape with abundant wildlife and vegetation, drawing human populations back. These fluctuating conditions led to episodic human presence, as evidenced by archaeological finds like the Boxgrove site during a warm phase. The shifting climate not only dictated where and when humans could live in Britain but also influenced their behaviour, technology, and survival strategies over hundreds of thousands of years.

A number of stone tools from Boxgrove, demonstrating different tools for different jobs

The tools found at Boxgrove are among the most advanced of their time and offer a key comparison point for understanding early human technology during the Lower Palaeolithic, around 500,000 years ago. These tools are typically associated with the Acheulean tradition, characterised by large, finely made handaxes, scrapers, and flakes. What sets the Boxgrove tools apart is their exceptional craftsmanship and the clear evidence of strategic planning in how they were made and used. Compared to other contemporary sites in Europe and Africa, the Boxgrove handaxes are often considered more symmetrical and refined, suggesting a high degree of skill and possibly even aesthetic sensibility. The presence of carefully prepared flake tools and evidence of on-site butchering of large animals also points to organised behaviour and tool specialisation. In contrast, many earlier or less developed Acheulean sites show more rudimentary tool shapes with less standardisation. Boxgrove’s tools are also significant because they were found in direct association with human remains (like the tibia described above), which is rare for the period. Therefore, Boxgrove represents a technological high point of the Acheulean in northern Europe and a window into the cognitive and social capabilities of Homo heidelbergensis.

A selection of stone tools made by Homo sapiens found from across Britain

Gough’s Cave in Somerset has yielded a remarkable collection of bone tools dating to the Magdalenian period, approximately 14,700 years ago. These artefacts provide valuable insights into the technological practices of Upper Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers. Among the notable finds is a perforated baton made from reindeer antler. While its exact function remains uncertain, similar artefacts are believed to have been used in rope-making, as the grooves around the holes could have held plant fibres in place. Such tools highlight the sophistication of Magdalenian toolmakers. Additionally, researchers have identified bones repurposed as tools for flint knapping. These include horse metapodials and phalanges used as hammers to detach blades or flakes, as well as a horse incisor employed as a pressure-flaker for refining stone tools. These bone tools, often considered ad-hoc implements, demonstrate the resourcefulness of the cave’s inhabitants in utilising available materials for tool production. Who doesn’t love a problem solver?

A selection of palaeolithic stone tools excavated at Happisburgh, Norfolk. These constitute the oldest known flint tools found in Britain

It isn’t that Boxmore is my favourite, there was just more material from that site. However, excavations at Happisburgh, Norfolk, have uncovered over 70 flint tools and flakes dating back approximately 900,000 years, marking the earliest known evidence of human occupation in Britain and some of the oldest in northern Europe. These tools, including an ovate handaxe found in 2000, were discovered in-situ within ancient river sediments of the Cromer Forest Bed Formation, providing a secure context for dating and analysis. The assemblage comprises handaxes, scrapers, and various flakes, indicative of tool-making activities by early humans, likely Homo antecessor. The significance of these findings lies not only in their age but also in their association with a rich array of environmental data, including fossilised plants, pollen, and animal remains, offering insights into the climate and ecosystems of the time. This evidence suggests that early humans were capable of surviving in cooler northern climates much earlier than previously thought, adapting to diverse environments and expanding the known range of early human habitation in Europe. How cool is that?

Remains of the Ice Age Giants, the woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) at the top and the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) at the bottom

The Boxgrove site in has yielded an extensive array of animal remains, offering a vivid snapshot of the Middle Pleistocene ecosystem inhabited by early humans. Among the large mammals uncovered are extinct species of rhinoceros (Stephanorhinus), straight-tusked elephants (Palaeoloxodon antiquus), lions, hyenas, bears (Ursus deningeri), and giant deer (Praemegaceros sp.). Smaller animals such as beavers, frogs, voles, and various bird species have also been identified, including the great auk, whose wing bone represents one of the oldest known specimens of its kind. Notably, some animal bones, including those of horses and deer, exhibit cut marks indicative of butchery by early humans, suggesting that Homo heidelbergensis engaged in organised hunting and meat processing at the site. The diverse faunal assemblage at Boxgrove provides critical insights into the climate, environment, and human-animal interactions during this period of prehistory

Some of the animal remains found at Boxmore, including those from a an extinct bear (Ursus sp.) and a Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber)

During the Pleistocene, particularly during the warmer interglacial periods, hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius) were surprisingly part of Britain’s fauna. Fossil evidence shows that hippos once inhabited parts of southern England, including areas like London and the Thames Valley, during the Ipswichian interglacial around 125,000 years ago. At that time, the climate was warm enough to support lush vegetation and freshwater habitats suitable for these large, semi-aquatic mammals. These hippos coexisted with other now-extinct species such as straight-tusked elephants, giant deer, and cave lions. Their presence in prehistoric Britain offers a striking reminder of how drastically climate change has shaped the distribution of species over time. As the climate cooled during subsequent glacial periods, hippos disappeared from the region, retreating to warmer areas where they survive today.

A skeleton of a hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)

Beyond the scientific artefacts, the exhibition featured interactive elements that engaged audiences of all ages. Visitors could handle replica tools, explore digital timelines, and participate in activities that simulated the challenges faced by early humans. This hands-on approach not only enriched the learning experience but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the complexities of human evolution. I wish I got more photos of the additional features the exhibition had, including a number of extremely informative information boards, screens showing how microwear can indicate diet, relevant maps, and life-size models of the species featured in the exhibit. All of this helped to make everything extremely immersive, while not overloading visitors with too much information. Something that is critical with these sorts of exhibitions, less certainly is more.

A number of stone tools from the Swanscombe site in Kent

The Swanscombe Palaeolithic site in Kent, has revealed a diverse assemblage of stone tools dating to the Lower Palaeolithic period, approximately 400,000 years ago. The site is particularly notable for evidence of two distinct lithic industries: the Acheulean and the Clactonian. The Acheulean tools, characterised by bifacially worked handaxes, are well-represented at Swanscombe. These handaxes, often ovate or pointed in shape, demonstrate advanced flint-knapping techniques and are associated with Homo heidelbergensis, the hominin species believed to have occupied the site during the Hoxnian Interglacial period. In contrast, the Clactonian industry at Swanscombe is defined by its core-and-flake technology, notably lacking handaxes. Clactonian tools include simple flake tools and choppers produced by striking thick flakes from a flint core. These tools are indicative of a different technological approach and possibly reflect variations in cultural practices or adaptations to specific environmental conditions. The coexistence of Acheulean and Clactonian tools at Swanscombe has sparked debate regarding their chronological relationship. This debate underscores the complexity of early human technological development and the adaptability of hominin populations in prehistoric Britain. This isn’t an area I am too familiar with but if it is the topic of your hyperfocus, what is your opinion on the matter?

Various different animal remains from different sites in Kent, including a brown bear (Ursus arctos), European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and a lion (Panthera leo)

For those interested in delving deeper, the Natural History Museum published a companion book, Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story, authored by Rob Dinnis and Chris Stringer. This richly illustrated volume expands on the exhibition’s themes, offering detailed insights into the archaeological discoveries and scientific analyses that have shaped our understanding of Britain’s ancient past. If you feel like you missed out and you’d like to travel back in time 11 years, I am happy to say that the majority of the specimens and educational materials that were on display, now make up the since renovated Human Evolution Gallery, which is easily accessible from the Exhibition Road entrance.

Carved bone batons from France (such as La Madeleine), although similar tools and decorations have been found in Gough’s Cave

In summary, Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story was a compelling exhibition that masterfully combined scientific rigour with engaging storytelling. By bringing together rare artifacts, cutting-edge research, and interactive displays, it provided an unparalleled window into the deep history of human life in Britain.

Three of the many flint handaxes found at Boxgrove, which were perfectly suited to butchering large animals

Apologies for the somewhat poor quality of the photos, they were taken on my trusty iPhone 4 which struggled in poorly-lit spaces but I have done my best to illustrate my recollections of the exhibition effectively.

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