Neanderthal exploitation of marine mammals in Gibraltar

TLDR

Gibraltar’s Vanguard and Gorham’s Caves, on Governor’s Beach, are key coastal sites for studying Neanderthal activity. Stratigraphic analysis of Vanguard and Gorham’s Caves enables comparison of Neanderthal subsistence strategies during the Middle Paleolithic. Evidence from both caves shows Neanderthals regularly exploited marine resources—including mollusks, seals, dolphins, and fish—indicating focused coastal visits. Nature 2006, 443:850–853.

Abstract

Two coastal sites in Gibraltar, Vanguard and Gorham's Caves, located at Governor's Beach on the eastern side of the Rock, are especially relevant to the study of Neanderthals. Vanguard Cave provides evidence of marine food supply (mollusks, seal, dolphin, and fish). Further evidence of marine mammal remains was also found in the occupation levels at Gorham's Cave associated with Upper Paleolithic and Mousterian technologies [Finlayson C, et al. (2006) Nature 443:850–853]. The stratigraphic sequence of Gibraltar sites allows us to compare behaviors and subsistence strategies of Neanderthals during the Middle Paleolithic observed at Vanguard and Gorham's Cave sites. This evidence suggests that such use of marine resources was not a rare behavior and represents focused visits to the coast and estuaries.