Neanderthal research to bring more archaeological students from UK

A new research collaboration agreement with the Gibraltar Museum and the Liverpool John Moores University will mean more archaeological students from UK will be able to work on the annual digs at Gorham’s and Vanguard caves. Making the announcement on site yesterday, Professor Clive Finlayson, together with senior lecturer from the university Dr Richard Jennings, said archaeological students will now have the opportunity to visit Gibraltar more frequently and both study and assist, in the work undertaken in the Neanderthal complex of caves.

Speaking to the media during this year’s visit to the site, Professor Finlayson, highlighted the latest artefacts discovered by the team dating back around 48,000 years ago including tools as well as evidence of shellfish being cooked by the Neanderthal’s in Vanguard’s Cave.

The reporters were also able to see at first hand the latest safety measures being introduced in order to access the area. Towards the middle of the month Gibraltar will know whether its ‘Gibraltar Neanderthal Caves and Environment’ bid for UNESCO World Heritage status has been successful. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee meets in Istanbul as from next week.

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