A Cave Closed for 40,000 Years Opens in Gibraltar: The Last Home of the Neanderthals.

According to ТСН: Archaeologists conducted research on the Gorham's Cave complex on the coast of Gibraltar and discovered a sealed chamber hidden under natural deposits that had remained untouched for at least 40,000 years. This site may have served as a refuge for the last representatives of Neanderthals on Earth.

The Gorham's Cave complex is located at the southern edge of Spain, in British Gibraltar. Today, the entrance to the caves leads directly to the Mediterranean Sea, although in prehistoric times it was located much deeper inland due to the lower sea level then.

Structure of the Cave Complex

The complex consists of four caves: Gorham, Vanguard, Hyena, and Bennett. They were discovered back in 1907, but systematic archaeological research began only in the 1980s when it became clear that this site preserves rich traces of ancient human activity.

Artifacts and Evidence of Life

Although no skeletal remains of Neanderthals or Homo sapiens have been found in the caves, archaeologists have uncovered numerous evidence of human presence dated up to 100,000 years ago. This significantly predates the appearance of modern humans in Western Europe, which occurred about 40,000 years ago, prompting researchers to believe that most finds are indeed related to Neanderthals.

Among the most significant discoveries are remains of marine food. During excavations, archaeologists found a large number of mussel shells, as well as bones of fish, seals, and dolphins, which could not have made it to the caves by chance. Some bones also showed signs of processing, indicating their use as food.

In the caves, carved patterns with cross-hatching have been preserved on the stone floor, dating back over 39,000 years. Researchers believe these were created by Neanderthals, although this question is still under discussion.

Technological Skills of Neanderthals

Individual finds indicate the complex technological skills of the cave dwellers. In Vanguard Cave, archaeologists discovered a fireplace approximately 60,000 years old, which was used to produce birch tar, serving to attach stone tips to wooden handles of tools or weapons.

In 2021, another significant find was made: in the back of Vanguard Cave, a chamber about 13 meters deep was opened, sealed with sedimentary rocks for at least 40,000 years. Inside, remains of rice, hyena, griffon, and a marine mollusk shell were found. These objects likely did not enter there by chance.

The found artifacts challenge the established dates for the disappearance of Neanderthals. They indicate that these people may have lived here about 33,000 to 24,000 years ago, which is significantly later than previously believed.

If this data is confirmed, the Gorham's Cave complex may become one of the last places in the world where Neanderthals lived, preserving unique traces of their daily life, diet, and technologies.