Gibb and the Birds: Neanderthals in Gibraltar

In the southernmost tip of Europe, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, lies the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. This small peninsula has been inhabited by humans for over 100,000 years, and it is here that some of the most important discoveries about our Neanderthal ancestors have been made.

Gibb and the birds: Neanderthals in Gibraltar

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The first Neanderthal remains in Gibraltar were found in 1848 by a British army officer named Lieutenant Edmund Flint. Flint was exploring Gorham's Cave, a large sea cave on the eastern side of the Rock of Gibraltar, when he came across a number of human bones. These bones were later identified as belonging to a Neanderthal child, and they are now on display at the Gibraltar Museum.

In the years since Flint's discovery, a number of other Neanderthal remains have been found in Gibraltar, including adult skeletons, tools, and weapons. These finds have helped to paint a picture of the lives of Neanderthals in Gibraltar, and they have shown that these early humans were highly skilled and intelligent.

The Neanderthals of Gibraltar

The Neanderthals were a species of hominid that lived in Europe and Asia from around 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. They were closely related to modern humans, but they had a number of distinctive physical features, including a large brow ridge, a sloping forehead, and a wide nose. Neanderthals were also shorter and stockier than modern humans, and they had a larger brain.

The Neanderthals of Gibraltar were part of a larger population of Neanderthals that lived in the Iberian Peninsula. These Neanderthals were well-adapted to the cold, dry climate of the region, and they were skilled hunters and gatherers. They lived in caves and rock shelters, and they made tools and weapons from stone, bone, and wood.

The Neanderthals of Gibraltar were also skilled artists. They created a number of cave paintings and engravings, which depict animals, humans, and other objects. These works of art provide a valuable glimpse into the lives and minds of these early humans.

Gibraltar and the Neanderthal Extinction

Around 40,000 years ago, the Neanderthals disappeared from the fossil record. The reason for their extinction is not fully understood, but it is thought that they may have been outcompeted by modern humans, who were better adapted to the changing climate and environment.

The Neanderthals of Gibraltar were among the last of their kind. They lived in a small, isolated population on the southernmost tip of Europe, and they were eventually unable to compete with the more advanced modern humans who were arriving from the north.

The discovery of Neanderthal remains in Gibraltar has helped to shed light on the lives and extinction of these early humans. These finds have shown that the Neanderthals were a highly skilled and intelligent species, and they provide a valuable reminder of our shared human heritage.

Visiting Gorham's Cave

Gorham's Cave is one of the most important archaeological sites in Gibraltar. It is here that the first Neanderthal remains in Gibraltar were found, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cave is open to the public, and visitors can explore the chambers where the Neanderthals once lived.

Gorham's Cave is a fascinating place to visit, and it is a great way to learn about the lives of the Neanderthals. The cave is also home to a number of other animals, including bats, birds, and insects. Visitors can take a guided tour of the cave, or they can explore it on their own.

Gibraltar is a unique place to learn about Neanderthals. The discovery of Neanderthal remains in Gibraltar has helped to shed light on the lives and extinction of these early humans. Gorham's Cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to the public. Visitors can explore the cave and learn about the Neanderthals who once lived there.

Image Credits

* Neanderthal skull from Gorham's Cave by Gibraltar Museum, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 * Neanderthal tools from Gorham's Cave by Gibraltar Museum, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 * Neanderthal cave painting from Gorham's Cave by Gibraltar Museum, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Gibb and the birds: Neanderthals in Gibraltar

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11054 KB
Print length	:	22 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE