Archaeologists Find Evidence of Early Human Survival in Ice Age Britain!
Archaeologists have uncovered extraordinary new evidence showing that early humans not only lived in Britain more than 700,000 years ago but also managed to survive one of northern Europe’s harshest ice ages.
The discovery was made during excavations at Old Park, along the River Stour in Canterbury, Kent. It represents the earliest known record of human survival in such extreme conditions anywhere in Britain.
Photo Credit: A. Key et al., Nature Ecology & Evolution (2025)
Research published in Nature Ecology and Evolution reveals that the species Homo heidelbergensis, ancestors of the Neanderthals, occupied the region between 712,000 and 621,000 years ago. Thousands of stone tools were found buried deep within ancient river sands and gravels, making them some of the oldest human artefacts ever discovered in northern Europe.
Although stone tools have been unearthed in Canterbury since the 1920s, the latest digs, which began in 2020, uncovered far older sediments than previously studied. Thanks to Old Park’s unique geology, archaeologists were able to explore deposits that are usually hidden away in Britain.
Among the most remarkable finds were sharp flint tools preserved in layers dating back around 440,000 years, during the Anglian glaciation, one of the most severe ice ages in European prehistory. The pristine edges of these tools suggest they were crafted and discarded on the spot, rather than transported by natural forces such as rivers.
This challenges long-held assumptions that Britain was uninhabitable during its coldest phases. For decades, experts believed humans only returned during warmer intervals, yet the Old Park evidence shows that early humans endured glacial conditions, adapting to the challenges of bitter cold.
Microscopic plant remains found alongside the tools reveal that the landscape was a treeless grassland, home to now-extinct species such as rhinoceroses and wild horses. Whether humans lived here year-round or returned seasonally is still uncertain, but their presence raises important questions about survival strategies.
Photo Credit: A. Key et al., Nature Ecology & Evolution (2025)
Archaeologists suggest they may have used animal skins for warmth, built shelters, or followed migrating herds for food. Whatever the methods, these early groups displayed an impressive ability to adapt in order to endure some of the toughest climates imaginable.
The excavations revealed two distinct styles of Acheulean handaxe: some roughly made and elongated, others finely shaped and ovate. These differences suggest that different populations, possibly separated by as much as 200,000 years, made use of Old Park, each with their own cultural traditions and levels of craftsmanship.
What shines through from the findings is the resilience of early humans. Surviving the Anglian glaciation would have required not just toolmaking skills but also cooperation, ingenuity, and resourcefulness. These discoveries place Canterbury among the most important prehistoric sites in Britain, offering a rare glimpse into human life at the very limits of survival.
Excavations at Old Park are ongoing, and researchers continue to analyse thousands of artefacts and environmental samples. Each new piece adds to our understanding of how our distant ancestors spread, endured, and adapted to a Europe shaped by dramatic climate change.