The Atapuerca Foundation took part with a stand at the AR-PA Cultural Tourism Fair, which was held at the Valladolid Exhibition Centre, on the ‘Heritage Island’ organised by the Regional Government of Castile and León. Over the course of these three days, representatives of the Atapuerca Foundation (Cristina Cuesta, Victoria Moreno, Susana Sarmiento, Sonia Alonso and Patricia Martínez) explained to visitors the work the organisation has carried out over its 25-year history, as well as its future objectives and the European projects it is currently working on, such as ‘From Past to Future’.
At the Atapuerca Foundation’s stand, the foundation’s founding objectives, current strategic plan and future vision were presented. In addition, Alicia Mimbacas and Sandra García, members of the Foundation, gave two demonstrations: one on ‘Tool-making in Prehistory’ and another on ‘Fire in Prehistory’. The demonstrations took place during two sessions on Friday and Sunday.
AR-PA Cultural Tourism grew out of the Heritage Biennial and has expanded its scope to include other cultural resources. This fair showcases the offerings of institutions such as museums and archives, as well as organisations dedicated to heritage management. The Regional Government of Castile and León aims to hold this initiative annually.
This year, the Atapuerca Foundation has launched ‘From Past to Future’, an innovative European project that promotes inclusion, participation and youth employability in the field of archaeological heritage. This initiative is funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme under its 2024 call for proposals.
Representatives from the Atapuerca Foundation also held a working session whilst attending ARPA, where they were able to meet with the team from the Siega Verde prehistoric rock art site – a neighbouring World Heritage Site in the Côa Valley and one of the partners in this European project. This meeting helped to strengthen collaboration with a region that shares one of the continent’s oldest artistic expressions: the rock art sites of the Côa Valley and Siega Verde, considered the most significant open-air Palaeolithic art complex on the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most important in Europe. This exchange not only strengthened the network of cooperation between institutions but also highlighted the project’s international dimension and the importance of linking scientific heritage with other World Heritage sites, thereby broadening the scope and influence of the young Ambassadors of Culture and Science.
In 2025, the Emiliano Aguirre Research Centre, which houses the System Archive, will be launched. This initiative, co-funded by the Board of Trustees of the Atapuerca Foundation and the Regional Government of Castile and León, aims to compile, preserve and disseminate all the information generated on the sites in the Sierra de Atapuerca, from the earliest excavation campaigns to the present day. The Emiliano Aguirre Research Centre thus fulfils a dual role: promoting research and fostering the wider dissemination of the knowledge generated by the Atapuerca project, as it provides access to information for interested parties, both in person and online.
25th anniversary of the Atapuerca Foundation
The Atapuerca Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary, a key moment to take stock of its achievements and the impact of its support for the Atapuerca project. The Foundation brings together companies, public authorities, universities and research centres committed to the study of human evolution, and its creation has marked a turning point in this important scientific project.
Over the years, the Foundation has supported the Atapuerca project in three key areas: academia, science and society. Through its pre-doctoral and post-doctoral grant programme, it has driven the project’s growth and ensured the scientific continuity of nearly 100 young researchers. Every summer, more than 300 people from 25 countries take part in the Atapuerca excavations, coordinated with universities and research centres. The Foundation’s role, combined with the financial support of the Regional Government of Castile and León, is vital for organising the excavation campaign, in collaboration with the leaders of the Atapuerca Research Team. Similarly, the Foundation centralises communication and institutional relations, which is essential for a project of this scale. Furthermore, the Foundation manages visits to the sites and to the Centre for Experimental Archaeology (CAREX), a task entrusted to the Atapuerca Foundation by the Siglo Foundation of the Regional Government of Castile and León. It also works to improve the surroundings of the sites.