Yahoo News Footprint of one of the last Neanderthals from 29,000 years ago is found near Gibraltar
An ancient footprint preserved in a sand dune near Gibraltar may have been made by one of the last Neanderthals, researchers believe.
The footprint was found in sand sheets in the dunes above Catalan Bay – remains of a period of glaciation, where sea leavel was up to 390ft below today’s levels.
Researchers found footprints from animals including ibex, aurochs and a straight-tusked elephant – as well as a young human, possibly a Neanderthal.
The human, around four feet tall, would have lived at the very end of the Neanderthal period.
If confirmed to be Neanderthal, these dunes would become only the second site in the world with footprints attributed to these humans, the other being Vartop Cave in Romania.
Minister for Heritage John Cortes MP said, ‘This is extraordinary research and gives us an incredible insight into the wildlife community of Gibraltar’s past.
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‘We should all take a moment to imagine the scene when these animals walked across our landscape. It helps us understand the importance of looking after our heritage.
‘I congratulate the research team on uncovering this fascinating, hidden evidence of our Rock’s past.’
