A Brief History of Spain

Early History

1 Million BCE Burgos fossils are the earliest recorded form of human life in Europe.
The earliest history of human life in Spain and, potentially in Europe, is based on human-like remains found in caves in Atapuerca near Burgos in 1997. Carbon dating showed the humanoid type remains to be one million years old and placed them as the earliest known inhabitants of Europe.
These fossil remains offered information on the physical nature and the way of life of what is possibly the earliest European human life form. For more information or to register a visit Phone 00 34 947 421 462 during Mon to Friday 10.00 / 14.00 or 1600/1800 Spanish time or see www.Atapuerca.com for a fascinating insight into the history of the caves.

30,000 BCE The skull of a Neanderthal woman was first discovered in 1848 in a quarry at Gibraltar and a similar skull was unearthed in the Neander Valley in Germany in 1856, after which these people became known as Neanderthal man. Similar remains have also been found in the caves of Zafarraya in Málaga and Gorham’s Cave in Gibraltar. It is considered that this was the earliest time that humans, as we consider them (anatomically) today, first appeared in Spain. However, there are a number of other claims regarding earliest man.
See www.spainview.com/prehist.html

12,000 BCE Palaeolithic era Caves at El Soplao and Altamira Caves in northern Spain near Santander. During 1789 some of the most extravagant and earliest cave paintings were found at Altamira. Among the exhibits are hunting scenes and large 2 metre high drawings of Bison. The drawings are said to be similar to cave paintings found at some French sites. One theory is that they were painted by invaders from Africa. The walls bear paintings and engravings of bison, deer, horses, boar, etc.
The site at El Soplao explains itself, just take a look at this fantastic web site www.cuevaelsoplao.tk To protect these unique sites, tourism is strictly controlled and I understand one has to write or fax for a booking to view. For more detail phone, 00 34 942 81 80 05. There should be someone available who speaks English.

3000 - 2000 BCE Records of metalworking in Spain have been traced back to the Copper Age Site of Los Millares near Almeria.

1100 BCE Cadiz is believed to be the site of the first colony set up in Andalucia by Phoenician traders.

900 BCE The Celts This was the time of the major immigration of the Celts into Spain. They came from Germany through France and across the Pyrenees, by 600BCE, large numbers had reached into north western Spain where their descendants can still be found to retain some of the old Celtic culture. The Celts were fishermen, miners and experts at metal smelting, occupations which they continue to this day. The Celts mixed with the Iberians in central Spain and subsequently produced the "Celtiberian" race.