Scientists have unveiled archaeological proof connected to Neanderthals and present-day humans. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments
Nestled beneath limestone cliffs in Gibraltar, a cavern going back approximately 40,000 years has produced captivating revelations, thereby altering the accepted history of Neanderthals. Gorham’s Cave, together with three others, Vanguard Cave, Hyaena Cave, and Bennett’s Cave, were initially chanced upon in 1907. Their actual importance was only acknowledged years subsequently in the 1980s during formal archaeological digs, uncovering some of the most noteworthy and enduring remnants of Neanderthal existence.
Upon entering the sealed Gorham’s Cave, researchers found that Neanderthals actually inhabited the area for a considerably extended timeframe than initially estimated, becoming extinct “remarkably recently” in comparative terms.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Read more: Huge Roman villa discovered buried under UK park – ‘our Pompeii’
Read more: Couple renovating Victorian end terrace home floored by attic discovery
Although no skulls have been located, archaeologists unearthed large amounts of seafood and artistic creations, leading them to deduce that Neanderthals dwelled in this locale.
Academics discovered mussel coverings and skeletal remains of fish and dolphins, some of which seemed to have undergone processing utilizing cutting tools and butchering methods. Scientists further asserted that carvings into the stone dated back roughly 39,000 years.
An examination into ancient rock artistry, released on January 7, indicated that Vanguard Cave encompasses “around 17 meters of sandy deposits containing animal and plant fossils, along with Mousterian stone implements, also signifying Neanderthal residency.”
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Disclosed in the science publication Quaternary, the investigators added: “Numerous well-layered habitation sites, featuring fireplaces and vertebrate and invertebrate fossils, as well as pollen and carbonized residue, have been identified. Initial findings from OSL propose a period spanning between 120,000 and 75,000 BP.”
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Shifting their interest to Gorham’s cave, the journal stated that diverse communities may have occupied the region across the years.
It expressed that “multiple stratigraphic strata displaying archaeological proof of both Neanderthals and Modern Humans have been recognized”.
It mentioned discoveries from the Holocene epoch, “substantial” Phoenician and Carthaginian relics, Upper Palaeolithic era, and the Mousterian age, which is “linked to Neanderthals in Western Europe”.
IFL science mentions that Neanderthals plausibly inhabited Gorham’s Cave until sometime between 33,000 and 24,000 years in the past, which is deemed “incredibly recent”.
The day’s biggest headlines in UK and World news Subscribe Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Get More of Our News on Google
Set Daily Express as a ‘Preferred Source’ to get quicker access to the news you value.
They further mentioned: “It is generally believed that these hominids vanished around 40,000 years ago, however, the artefacts in Gibraltar hint that particular groups may have lingered substantially longer.”
The Gibraltar landmass already possesses considerable value for scientific researchers, as, in 1848, the original Neanderthal cranium was unearthed there.