This is how it all began

Curiosity about mystery and the unknown is an inherent human feature which has constantly attracted us to unfathomed, tantalising places. This urge to explore new ground and the very human desire to leave our mark wherever we go led Fray Manuel Ruiz to enter Cueva Mayor (Main Cave) in 1645 and carve his name on the wall, which is how we can tell that the cave was known long ago.

There was a guide to the cave, D. Ramón Inclán, back in 1868. In 1910, Jesús Carballo discovered paintings in Portalón de la Cueva Mayor (Main Cave Porch). In 1962, the Edelweis Speleological Group reported the presence of bones in the Railway Cutting. In 1963, a biface was unearthed during sampling in the Cutting. From 1964 to 1966, Francisco Jordá dug in the Cutting and Cueva Mayor. In 1973, J. Mª. Apellániz began to study Galería del Sílex (Flint Gallery), discovered by the Eidelweis Group in 1972, and Cueva Mayor.

In 1976, mining engineer Trino Torres descended into Sima de los Huesos (Bones Pit) in search of bones from a bear species, Ursus deningeri, and emerged with not just bear remains but also several pieces of human skulls, teeth, and jawbones which he entrusted to palaeontologist Emiliano Aguirre. This was the start of the grand story of the Atapuerca sites, thanks to Emiliano’s thirst for knowledge. He was so deeply impressed by his first visit to the hills that he immediately began to draft a research project and apply for the necessary excavation permit. The year: 1978.