Sierra de Atapuerca, Mountain chain and commercial forest near Burgos, Spain.
The Sierra de Atapuerca is a limestone mountain range in the province of Burgos that stretches over several kilometers and contains many caves. The mountains are forested and crossed by small valleys, with some caves holding prehistoric finds.
In the early 20th century, workers building a railway through the mountains discovered fossils in the exposed rock layers. These finds later led to extensive archaeological excavations that continue today.
The caves in this range have yielded remains of the earliest known Europeans, making the region an important place for understanding human ancestry. Visitors can see how researchers use these findings to piece together the story of our ancestors.
Archaeological sites can only be visited with a guide, and visitors should book a time slot in advance. Tours start from the reception center in Ibeas de Juarros and run throughout the year.
One of the caves, Sima de los Huesos, holds over 5,500 human bone fragments from around 350,000 years ago. The remains come from at least 28 individuals and represent the largest collection of Middle Pleistocene human fossils in the world.
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