The Pit of Bones

By Linda Tancs

Considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe, Atapuerca comprises several limestone caves near the medieval city of Burgos in northern Spain. It contains a rich fossil record of the earliest human beings in Europe from a million years ago. With colorful names such as Pit of the Elephant and Pit of Bones, the findings there include the earliest evidence of humans in western Europe and a stunning array of over 1,600 human fossils and intact skulls. The locale was designed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.