The archaeological site of Atapuerca is one of the most important in Europe, if not the world, as it provides a wealth of relics and remains related to some of the earliest hominids found. see. Atapuerca also provided artifacts from the Early Stone Age to the Bronze Age. Because of its “invaluable information about the appearance and lifestyle of these distant human ancestors,” this site was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2002.
Background of the Atapuerca archaeological site
Located in the Atapuerca Mountains, this area has at least six archaeological sites, and each offers unique finds. The site was first excavated in 1910 by one of the pioneers of Spanish archaeology. However, the full significance of this location was not recognized until a railroad was built through the area.
The cave revealed during construction was investigated by a team of archaeologists in 1964. Inside they discovered fossils of early humans and artifacts from human cultures modernity later caused a stir around the world.
Near the site known as Galería de la Eduarda y el Kolora, pothosmen discovered several prehistoric rock paintings that included geometric motifs, hunting scenes, anthropomorphic figures, and zoological figures. big. In 1978, the first human remains and artifacts were excavated. Stone Age ruins and artifacts were discovered at Cueva del Mirador in 1999.
Rock art discovered at Atapuerca, Spain ( CC BY 2.0 )
In 1981, archaeologists began studying a large cave system called Trinchera Dolina. It contains the remains of many extinct human species and their relics. Even after decades of investigation, archaeologists continue to find a large number of archaeological remains at the site.
Arguably the most important site at the Atapuerca site is called Sima de los Huesos (The Pit of Bones). This small cave can only be accessed by a narrow chute and to date more than 1600 early human fossils have been discovered, including several skulls found almost intact.
Murder, cannibalism and human extinction in Atapuerca
Among the many extraordinary finds at the Sima del Elefante (Elephant Pit) site are some of the earliest evidence of humans in Western Europe, more than three-quarters of a million years old. Experts believe these remains belong to a previously unknown and extinct early human species, named Homo antecessor, the ancestor of modern humans. However, many experts believe that the fossil is that of Homo heidelbergensis. Remains of Homo Electus have also been found.
Homo heidelbergensis Cranium 5 found Sima de los Huesos (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Nearly a quarter of the bones found showed signs of cutting and other human manipulation, leading to the hypothesis that cannibalism was practiced at the site. It is unknown whether this was done for nutritional or ceremonial purposes.
In Sima de los Huesos (the Pit of Bones cave), early human remains have been found dating back 300 to 600,000 years. The remaining remains are from early extinct humans and some belong to presumed Neanderthal ancestors dating back 430,000 years. Others have features of the more recent Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthal), and skulls with features of both Neanderthals and modern humans have been discovered. The remains found in the cave have helped researchers better understand the evolution of both groups.
Homo neanderthalensis, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Tools and relics were unearthed at the site along with a skull fractured by a blow. This is the earliest evidence of violent death in Europe.
At Cueva del Mirador, investigators found evidence of some of Europe’s first herders and hunters, as well as signs that the cave was used as a residence, stables, and other purposes. buried more than 4,000 years ago. The 1,000 feet of sediment in this cave can contain numerous archaeological artifacts.
Visit the Atapuerca archaeological site in Spain
The archaeological site is located in northern Spain, not far from the city of Burgos. Currently, you can visit three locations that make up the ” Atapuerca System , Culture of Evolution”. Several guided tours provide an overview of the area’s history and discoveries. Since this location is still being excavated by archaeologists, not all of the caves can be visited. The Atapuerca site is close to several other important historical sites and is in an area of great natural beauty.
