Atapuerca — Gran Dolina and Galería Trench

Why it mattersEarliest human remains in Western Europe, essential for hominin evolution.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

c. 900000 BP (natural cave)

Period

Early to Middle Pleistocene

Culture

Acheulean / Homo antecessor

Purpose

Hominin habitation, butchery and burial

Rediscovered

Modern excavation 19th–20th century

Excavation

Excavation ongoing

1. c. 900000 BP (natural cave)

   Initial construction / first occupation at Atapuerca — Gran Dolina and Galería Trench

2. 19th century / 1960s

   Antiquarian notice and modern systematic excavation of Atapuerca — Gran Dolina and Galería Trench

3. 2000s

   Conservation and publication of final reports for Atapuerca — Gran Dolina and Galería Trench

• Gran Dolina TD6 (Homo antecessor)

  fossil horizon

  Aurora Stratum TD6 with 80+ Homo antecessor remains, stone tools and cut marks at north trench end

  42.3716° N · 3.5474° W

• Galería Complex Lithic Floor

  workshop

  Middle Pleistocene Acheulean biface workshop in Galería with deer butchery remains

  42.3712° N · 3.5471° W

• Sima de los Huesos Pit

  burial chamber

  Deep shaft 13 m below surface with 4000+ Homo heidelbergensis fossils and crania

  42.3717° N · 3.5470° W

• Elefante Lower Levels

  occupation layer

  Early Pleistocene levels with Mode 1 tools and hominin remains c. 1.2 Ma

  42.3711° N · 3.5474° W