Gorham's Cave

Gorham's Cave is a sea cave in Gibraltar, United Kingdom, carved into limestone cliffs along the eastern coastline. The entrance measures 35 meters in height and opens toward the bay, while the interior passages extend 100 meters into the rock.

People lived in the cave 55,000 years ago when the shoreline lay 5 kilometers (3 miles) farther out due to lower sea levels. Excavations starting in the 19th century uncovered layers of occupation by Neanderthals followed by Neolithic groups, Phoenician traders, and later medieval communities.

Visitors walk through chambers where ancient inhabitants once prepared food and crafted tools, with charcoal deposits still visible in some alcoves. The name honors Captain A. Gorham, a 19th-century British officer who first documented the archaeological importance of the site.

Access is only possible by boat from Marina Bay, as no land path reaches the cave. Tours typically run on Sundays, and visitors should book ahead for summer mornings when conditions are cooler and calmer.

Scratched lines on the cave floor, dated to 39,000 years ago, may represent one of the earliest known forms of abstract thought by Neanderthals. These markings suggest that symbolic expression existed long before modern humans arrived in the region.

Location: Gibraltar

Part of: Gorham's Cave complex

GPS coordinates: 36.12077,-5.34239

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26