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Thank you so much for this! I did wonder whether something like this was the case with the museum, and it’s completely understandable. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that things are better for them by next June but of course seeing Atapuerca is only something that would be nice, and not exactly crucial. I’ve read excellent things about the museum, and of course I know that Burgos itself is well worth exploring for a day, so we’ll plan to make the best of the day no matter what. Thanks again for your really helpful information and suggestions.@Lhollo I appreciate your enthusiasm. I have always been excited by the evidence of inter-human co-operation and co-ordination dating back nearly 1,000,000 years and therefore pre-dating "us" by a long chunk. The tours of Atapuerca are co-ordinated by the Museum. The Museum is shut due to the current virus outbreak. The dig is shut because the various contributing volunteers who conduct the excavations are locked-down, embargoed or banned from travel and are likely un-insurable.
Hiking through the arroyo has not been permitted for many years, even to the local Quail hunters - much to their irritation.
The Museum, by the time you get there, may be open. In which case plan a day to really enjoy and absorb what the past can teach us.
Yes, I’ve read here that the museum exhibition is one of the best ever! I’d be very interested but in particular it’s the landscape that I hope to see, as in this photo.When I walked in 2016 I was told that the Atapuerca site was not nearly as informative as the museum. So I did not stop there. I did spend several hours in the Burgos museum -- one of the highlights of my pilgrimage. I still think a lot about all that I learned there. But then, I'm an anthropologist at heart (though not in real life).
I see! What a shame, though. I saw the below wiki page and presumed that if people can do a half marathon through that canyon and past the archaeological site then maybe it’s also possible to walk there, but I suppose they must make special allowances for the event. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_de_AtapuercaYou should anticipate something more closely resembling View attachment 79496
Ach. Thats not entirely fair. Bad Tinker. But, in my opinion you will learn more and gain more from a day in the Museo Evolucion Humana than you will from a mis-guided tour of some mock-ups and a distant view of some fenced off bits. That said, the entirety of the landscape of the Montes de Oca and the location of the site tell stories of their own.
Agree. Just don’t be there on a MondayThat museum was amazing - an absolute highlight
In September 2016 I took the bus from Atapuerca to the visitor center, then another bus to the excavation site.I had wanted to visit the site of the excavations and had gone to the building at their excavation site. There was no public program there that day. I was later told that access to the site was by bus out from Burgos,
We arrived there on a Wednesday from Ages and decided to have a rest day on Thursday rather than walk in the downpour that was forecast. Knew nothing about the museum, just came upon it and it was such a surprise, we just about had the place to ourselves. My friend is a scientist (microbiologist) with a particular interest in genetics, so for her it was a wonderful afternoon.Agree. Just don’t be there on a Monday
I think I might do what you did! I know the museum is one of the best but I can’t imagine that I’ll want to spend my last day in Spain indoors. Wandering around near ancient caves, however, is very appealing!When I was passing through Burgos in 2016 I visited the museum of human evolution. I had wanted to visit the site of the excavations and had gone to the building at their excavation site. There was no public program there that day. I was later told that access to the site was by bus out from Burgos, which seemed ridiculous to me, as a walking pilgrim who had been at the front door of their archaeological location. Anyway, I went to the museum. I was surprised to be told that I, as a senior, did not have to pay the admission fee. I wandered about in the museum, trying to turn my brain on and develop some sort of interest. Finally, I gave up. I guess I was just too weary from walking. In reflection, I favour museum displays which show something of the daily life of the human or protohuman figures, rather than the skull of an early human which was a prize display in a glass case. I was actually more drawn into the possible daily life of the humans who had lived in a deep underground cave dwelling on the Aragones, although the location was not open to visit when I went through. There was a very cold wind blowing up from the entrance to the cave below. I thought about the daily lives of ancient peoples who lived deep in a cold dark hole in the ground, presumably for safety from outside threats (other humans?).
This sounds like what I have in mind. I speak reasonable Spanish so the language of the tour isn’t too much of a problem, it’s more a case of what, if anything, can be seen.I visited the yacimiento and the Centro de Arquelogia experimental (Carex) last year.
The visit to the yacimiento was worth it for me but I don't know if visits in English are possible.
The Carex is also worth it. It is near Atapuerca village. There are buses.
Of course you see the Gran Dolina and the Sima de los Huesos from outside. But it is much more than watching a photo because you can see archeologists working and the whole scenario.This sounds like what I have in mind. I speak reasonable Spanish so the language of the tour isn’t too much of a problem, it’s more a case of what, if anything, can be seen.
I really hope this is available again when I’m there! I’ll only be there for one day, a Wednesday, so I also know that there’s a possibility that it will be one of the days when tours don’t run. Fingers crossed!Of course you see the Gran Dolina and the Sima de los Huesos from outside. But it is much more than watching a photo because you can see archeologists working and the whole scenario.
Yup.Just don’t be there on a Monday
I only managed it the fourth timeYup.
FWIW, I was fascinated by their "prize display in a glass case" and I really enjoyed the exhibition on level -1 of the Museum of Human Evolution in Burgos. I think they recommend that you start on level -1, dedicated to the excavation and archaeological finds and discoveries on the Sierra de Atapuerca. We spent most of our time there and afterwards we also strolled through the exhibitions on level 0-2 and from memory, these exhibitions were so-so but the explanations and items displayed on level -1 were excellent. It's only or mostly in Spanish, though, I think?I wandered about in the museum, trying to turn my brain on and develop some sort of interest. Finally, I gave up. I guess I was just too weary from walking. In reflection, I favour museum displays which show something of the daily life of the human or protohuman figures, rather than the skull of an early human which was a prize display in a glass case.
This is the best thing I've seen in a while. Thanks @Tincatinker.https://knepp.co.uk/home, an amazing project and a lot closer to home.
I am very interested in that! It’s a long drive from my place in Lancashire but perfect for the type of break I’d enjoy in the U.K. I imagine their accommodation is very well booked up for the foreseeable future but those treehouses look particularly appealing. We’ll be remembering it. ThanksHey, @Lhollo you might be interested in this: https://knepp.co.uk/home, an amazing project and a lot closer to home.
The museum is wonderful and has Spanish and English labellling.Thank you so much for this! I did wonder whether something like this was the case with the museum, and it’s completely understandable. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that things are better for them by next June but of course seeing Atapuerca is only something that would be nice, and not exactly crucial. I’ve read excellent things about the museum, and of course I know that Burgos itself is well worth exploring for a day, so we’ll plan to make the best of the day no matter what. Thanks again for your really helpful information and suggestions.
Agree. Just don’t be there on a Monday
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