Vanguard Cave is a natural sea cave in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar which is part of the Gorham's Cave complex. This complex of four caves has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2016. The cave complex is one of the last known habitations of the , with a period of inhabitation from 55,000 to 28,000 years ago.[ It is located on the southeast face of the Rock of Gibraltar.
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Description
Vanguard Cave is one of four caves which together make up the Gorham's Cave complex which has been nominated to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the others being Bennett's, Gorham's, and Hyaena Cave.
Neanderthal inhabitation
In 2008 it was revealed that the cave supplied evidence that Neanderthal had a more varied diet than previously thought. The diet of H. neanderthalensis is now thought to have included fish and molluscs and marine animals like monk seal and dolphin.[ This may seem obvious given that Vanguard cave now looks out onto the Alboran Sea; however, scientists think that the cave was around from the shore at the time of H. neanderthalensis.]
The evidence does not just consist of a few bones. Researchers have been able to establish that the people there selected, collected and transported to the cave. The cave contains a hearth, and H. neanderthalensis left evidence of burning which could be used to open the shells.[ The shellfish also included and these are widely found at other H. neanderthalensis sites, however experts remain divided as to whether these were a significant part of the diet or just a useful snack. Clive Finlayson has argued that the diet was very varied and that evidence found within the caves indicates that six types of vegetation were within easy reach of the caves.][ The list of animals eaten in Vanguard include Common bream, dolphins, , and bluefin tuna.][
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Excavations in the middle part of the cave revealed a hearth that was used through at least three successive periods by H. neanderthalensis, with another ash layer containing a hearth, marine shells and stone tools in the upper part of the cave marking a shorter period of occupation.[
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Archaeology today
Vanguard Cave is a site of continuing archaeology interest. There was a long investigation in August 2012 which involved an international team brought to Gibraltar. The team spent three weeks excavating at Gorham's cave and three weeks at Vanguard.
In September 2021, archaeologists from the Gibraltar National Museum led by Prof Clive Finlayson announced the discovery of a 40.000 year-old Neanderthal cave chamber in the Gorham's Cave Complex, including a carving that may have been early Neanderthal artwork.
See also
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Gorham's Cave
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Gibraltar 1
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Gibraltar 2
Notes
External links
