Neanderthal archaeological cave complex and UNESCO World Heritage site in Gibraltar.
Gorham's Cave Complex is a group of four caves on the eastern cliffs of the Rock of Gibraltar. Recognized as a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, it preserves archaeological evidence of Neanderthals over more than 100,000 years, including abstract rock engravings and traces of bird and marine animal hunting.
Gorham's Cave Complex is a group of four caves in the Rock of Gibraltar, within Gibraltar, a territory of the United Kingdom. The caves are named Gorham’s Cave, Vanguard Cave, Hyaena Cave and Bennett’s Cave. They are located in steep limestone cliffs on the eastern face of the Rock. The complex is considered one of the last places inhabited by Neanderthals. According to the UNESCO description, its archaeological deposits bear witness to the presence of Neanderthals for more than 100,000 years. Thousands of years ago, in Neanderthal times, the caves lay about five kilometres from the Mediterranean coast. UNESCO highlights exceptional evidence of Neanderthal culture at this site. The caves contain rock engravings with abstract motifs, as well as traces of the hunting of birds and marine animals for food. There are also indications of ornamental use of the plumage of captured prey. Scientific research carried out in the complex has made an important contribution to the debate about knowledge of Neanderthals and the evolution of the human species. In 2016, the four caves were inscribed as a cultural World Heritage Site under the title “Gorham's Cave Complex,” within the UNESCO region of Europe and North America, under criterion iii.
