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[[File:Gran Dolina, yacimiento de Atapuerca, Burgos.jpg|right|thumb|none|300px|Imagen: Gran Dolina, archaeological site of Atapuerca (Burgos)]]
The oldest human fossil remains found on the Iberian Peninsula were discovered in sima del Elefante, (in the archaeological site of [https://www.atapuerca.org/es/ver/Video-del-Proyecto-AtapuercaAtapuerca], Burgos) in the form of a jawbone from an undetermined hominid dating from 1,200,000 years ago. If the fossil were of Homo habilis origin, it might have arrived on the Iberian Peninsula by way of the Strait of Gibraltar. Another hypothesis is that the fossil could belong to a new species called Homo antecessor, which may have possibly evolved from individuals of Homo erectus and settled on the Iberian Peninsula (at Gran Dolina, TD6, Atapuerca) after having migrated from Asia around 800,000 years ago. However, it is important to note that fossilised human remains of, as yet, undetermined origin have also been unearthed at Venta Micena in Orce (Granada) and in cueva Victoria, in Cartagena (Murcia).
Two subsequent species emerged and lived together in the Iberian Peninsula: Homo neanderthalensis, which marked the beginning of the Middle Paleolithic, and Homo heidelbergensis. Neanderthal remains found in El Sidrón, in Piloña (Asturias) witness their presence and are of particular significance. It should be mentioned that prior to this finding, around 28 individuals (a relatively large number) were discovered in sima de los Huesos at Atapuerca, making up more than 85% of the world´s recorded fossils of the primitive neardenthaliensis species. These remains were initially thought to be Devisovan, a species that predated neardenthaliensis. Since the massive presence of individuals at Atapuerca does not appear to be a coincidence, but rather a burial site, it is believed that there existed some degree of religious practice. Neanderthals formed small nomadic tribes and harnessed the use of fire, perhaps without mastery. They lived out in the open air, sometimes at the mouths of caves, and when not scavenging, led a hunter-gatherer lifestyle; and appear to have even engaged in cannibalism.
