Museum of Human Evolution — Attraction in Burgos

The museum is housed in a building complex designed by a Spanish award-winning architect and is stunning to experience. The wide open space of the interior is dominated by a recreation of the landscape of the Sierra de Atapuerca, which is the location of the nearby UNESCO world heritage sites where significant human and hominid fossils have been found.

These significant fossils are housed on the lower floor level. Of particular note are the unique remains of Homo antecessor. An archaic human species which was present in Western Europe between 1.2 and 0.8 million years ago. This is the oldest fossil record of the Homo linage that has been found in Europe. Artifacts and bones from the cave where they were found, suggest that H.antecessor may have practiced cannibalism. Our current day knowledge suggests that H.antecessor was an early form of H.heidelbergensis, who are in turn seen as the ancestors of the European Neanderthals. Fossil remains of all these other species are found in the museum and have also come from the Sierra de Atapuerca area.

You come up from the lower level to the ground floor. This is dedicated to the theory of evolution, including a life-size recreation of  hominoid, hominid and human species - not to be missed. The other floor levels are reached by open-plan escalators which sweep up through the building showcasing the architecture. The first floor looks at the development of human culture and technology, whilst the second floor looks at human evolution in the context different eco-systems.  Overall this is a five-star museum, with high quality curation of exhibitions and innovative displays which integrate and use in an inventive way...

The place turns more interesting as you go farther in. One of its greatest accomplishments in my opinion is how a very scientific subject that could be unfriendly for the general public is made so interesting and engaging. There’s a nice balance between the extremely minimal architecture the gorgeous lighting and the displays, making it easier to go through all the information without feeling overwhelmed by it. They have many interactive displays that allow you to have a full learning experience. Nevertheless, it is necessary to take the time to read and interact with said displays to be able to understand and enjoy the experience, it takes a long time to do the full circuit and though you most likely won’t be bored, you might get tired luckily, they have places for you to sit and rest a library with vending machines and you can even go outside and return later that same day with the same ticket (at least that was my experience). They also have temporary...

A historic, scientific and architectural treasure trove.

The museum is centrally situated and difficult to miss, a gleaming modern contrast to the old city across the river. The architecture allows natural light to flood the main hall in daytime where the exhibits engeniously wrap around the floor and then up onto three levels taking you though the the landmark discoveries of Atapurca, a broader context of our evolution and Ice Age Europe.

The museum also offers a tour to nearby dig sites accompanied by acheologiests who engagingly describe the hominid discoveries at the site and how their careful work is done. The tour can extend to Carex, an experimental archeology site where these same experts demonstrate tool making, ancient art, hunting and habitation.

A world class museum, with beautifully laid out exhibits that show how much the region has contributed to human evolutionary history, in a gleaming building. It is well...