Sima del Elefante, Paleontological excavation site in Ibeas de Juarros, Spain
Sima del Elefante is an excavation site in the Atapuerca mountain range with multiple sedimentary layers containing bones and stone tools from early humans. The different layers reveal a long history of human activity at this location.
A jawbone discovered here dates back more than a million years, making it one of the oldest human remains found in western Europe. This finding and others from multiple layers show that people returned to this location repeatedly over vast stretches of time.
The site reveals how early humans lived in Europe and used their tools in daily life. Discoveries here help visitors understand how our ancestors adapted to their environment and developed skills over time.
The site sits in a mountainous area and requires hiking and climbing to reach. Visitors should bring sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for changing weather conditions.
The site contains more than 20 distinct excavation layers, each with its own finds and clues about different time periods. This abundance of layers lets researchers track how human settlement changed over enormous stretches of time.
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