Today we walk from Atapuerca to Burgos. We start the day by crossing the Atapuerca hills where our
ancestors first settled hundreds of thousands of years ago. The arrows take us to Burgos city where we will follow the nice river pathway that keeps us off the main road that leads us first to our picnic lunch, and then into the city.
Atapuerca
Atapuerca is a significant archaeological site located in the province of Burgos,not too far from the Camino. It is named after the Atapuerca hills, which the Camino crosses. This site has yielded a treasure trove of human fossils and artifacts that have reshaped our understanding of human evolution. The site was first discovered in the late 19th century, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that extensive excavations began, revealing a complex stratigraphy spanning over a million years of human history. Atapuerca’s importance lies in its rich deposits, which have provided invaluable insights into the various stages of human evolution, including Homo antecessor, Homo heidelbergensis, and Neanderthals, among others. The oldest ‘human bones’ date back 850,000 years. To put things into perspective, Homo sapiens appeared around 100,000 years ago, and the first human civilizations around 5,000 years ago.
The discoveries at Atapuerca have revolutionized our understanding of human evolution, shedding light on key aspects such as the development of culture, technology, and social behavior. The site has also provided evidence of cannibalism among early human populations, adding another layer of complexity to our understanding of ancient societies.
Today, Atapuerca is recognized as one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Ongoing excavations continue to uncover new insights into our shared human ancestry, making Atapuerca a focal point for researchers, eager to delve into the mysteries of our past.
