Sealed for 40 thousand years: a Neanderthal chamber found in Gibraltar.

Archaeologists' Discovery in Gibraltar

According to TSN.ua: In Gibraltar, archaeologists have uncovered a chamber that has remained sealed for at least 40 thousand years. This discovery is the result of research conducted at the Gorham's Cave complex, located on the southern tip of Spain, in the territory of Gibraltar. Studies have shown that this chamber could have been home to Neanderthals.

The Gorham's Cave Complex

The Gorham's Cave complex consists of four separate caves: Gorham, Vanguard, Hyena, and Bennett. The entrance to these caves opens to the Mediterranean Sea. The caves were discovered in 1907, and systematic archaeological excavations began in the 1980s. Although no skeletal remains of Neanderthals or Homo sapiens have been found in the caves, evidence of human presence dating back to 100 thousand years has been recorded.

Among other findings in the caves, remnants of marine food have been discovered, including:

• mussel shells
• fish bones
• seals
• dolphins

Patterns of cross-hatching found in these caves date back over 39 thousand years. The separate Vanguard cave contains a hearth that is about 60 thousand years old. In 2021, a chamber approximately 13 meters deep was discovered in the same cave, which had remained closed for at least 40 thousand years.

These findings suggest that Neanderthals may have inhabited this region approximately 33–24 thousand years ago, opening new avenues for studying their way of life and interaction with the environment. The discovery in Gibraltar is an important step in understanding the history of Neanderthals and their place in human evolution.

The discovery of the sealed chamber in Gibraltar highlights the importance of the region as a place for studying Neanderthals, as it may provide new evidence of their life, diet, and social structure.

Similar archaeological discoveries help researchers better understand the evolutionary path of humanity and the interaction of our ancestors with the environment, which is crucial for reconstructing human history. Research at the Gorham's Cave complex, in particular, may lead to new discoveries and deepen knowledge about Neanderthals and their culture.