CAREX, Atapuerca Experimental Archaeology Centre

The CAREX, the Experimental Archaeology Centre, is on the outskirts of the village of Atapuerca, 1 km from the village centre and about 20 km from Burgos. It explains, with demonstrations, how prehistoric groups lived: how fire was lit, how a stone tool was knapped, how a wall was painted or how hunting was done. It is the most hands-on part of the Atapuerca system and the one that works best with children, because here you touch and try things.

What you do

The building is a big metal-clad box, with large windows that frame the village, the Camino de Santiago, the wetlands and the foot of the sierra. Downstairs are the reception, the experimental archaeology centre, a vending-machine café and the shop; upstairs, a room with views for workshops. The permanent exhibition explains how experimental archaeology has helped to understand the making of tools, the spaces where people lived and art, and there are temporary exhibitions on archaeology and human evolution.

The best part is outside. The outdoor area is organised in chronological order and there the archaeologist guides give demonstrations and activities: cave painting, spear hunting, spear-throwers and bow, fire lighting and stone tool knapping. Around it, almost a hectare reproduces scenes from the world's great sites, which you can see on your own for free or with a guide. The CAREX belongs to EXARC, the international association of experimental archaeology. Allow an hour and a half.

Opening hours and tickets

The visit is guided, in a group, and you must book: there is no online sale. Book on 947 421 000, at [email protected] or at the ticket offices of the Museum of Human Evolution, the CAREX and the CAYAC. In November and December the booking line is open from 9:00 to 14:00.

In November and December, outside Christmas, the CAREX sessions are Tuesday to Friday at 12:30 and 13:30, and at weekends at 10:00, 11:15, 12:30 and 13:30. At Christmas, on 22, 23, 26, 27, 29 and 30 December there are sessions at 10:15, 11:15, 12:30 and 13:30. In spring, summer and autumn sessions are added; in August there can be as many as eight a day. It is closed on Mondays, with some exceptions. January does not appear in the published calendar: ask beforehand.

Admission costs €7; reduced, €5.50, for students, young people aged 8 to 18, pilgrims and the unemployed. It is free for under-8s, large families and people with disabilities, among others, with proof. Booked groups of more than 30 people pay €5.50 per person; smaller ones, €160 per group.

Getting there and what to combine

The practical way is to go by car: there is a large car park at the entrance. From Burgos, take the N-I towards Vitoria to the Olmos de Atapuerca turn-off and from there to Atapuerca; or by the N-120, turning towards Santovenia, Agés and Atapuerca.

Some visits to the sites also leave from the CAREX, so you can do both in the same morning. Very close, in Olmos, is the Mina Esperanza, and in the village, the Atapuerca information centre. To see the original fossils, the Museum of Human Evolution is in Burgos.