National Geographic publishes an extensive feature on the Sierra de Atapuerca archaeological sites
The December issue of National Geographic Spain and Portugal now includes an extensive feature dedicated to the Sierra de Atapuerca archaeological sites (Burgos), offering an in-depth and up-to-date overview of more than four decades of scientific research at this key location for the study of human evolution.
The article reviews the different human species that have occupied this mountain range over time (from Homo aff. erectus, Homo antecessor, Homo heidelbergensis and Homo neanderthalensis to Homo sapiens) and highlights the importance of the discoveries made in understanding the evolutionary processes that have shaped our species.
IPHES-CERCA plays a particularly prominent role, as it coordinates the excavation work at the Trinchera del Ferrocarril sites, as well as at El Mirador Cave and the Rio area. The feature includes contributions from leading researchers from the centre, such as Dr Marina Mosquera, co-principal investigator of the Atapuerca Project and Director of IPHES-CERCA, Dr Rosa Huguet and Dr Xosé Pedro Rodríguez, coordinators of the work at Sima del Elefante, and Dr Josep Maria Vergès and Dr Ethel Allué, coordinators of the excavations at El Mirador Cave.
The publication of this feature represents an excellent opportunity to highlight the main contributions of the Atapuerca sites to the field of human evolution and to showcase the new phase of the project, marked by a renewed co-directorship team made up of six renowned researchers: Dr Marina Mosquera and Dr Andreu Ollé (IPHES-CERCA and URV), Dr María Martinón and Dr Alfonso Benito (CENIEH), and Dr José Miguel Carretero and Dr Ignacio Martínez Mendizábal (University of Burgos and University of Alcalá).
With this report, National Geographic reaffirms the international relevance of the Atapuerca project and its key role in research into the origins and evolution of humankind, an area in which IPHES-CERCA continues to be a leading scientific and heritage reference.