Forbes' Quarry, Prehistoric cave and archaeological site on the Rock of Gibraltar, United Kingdom
Forbes' Quarry is a prehistoric cave site on the northern face of the Rock of Gibraltar, embedded within the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. The location is an important archaeological site where remains from the Stone Age are preserved.
A quarry revealed a female Neanderthal skull in 1848, which was only the second known discovery of its kind worldwide. The find placed Gibraltar in the spotlight of early human research and showed that prehistoric people lived in this region.
The site is deeply connected to early scientific history, as one of the oldest known human skulls was unearthed here. This discovery helped scholars rethink human origins and changed scientific thinking about our past.
The site sits within a protected nature reserve and may require special arrangements or permits for visits. Visitors should check beforehand since ongoing research work can affect access.
The female Neanderthal discovered here was older than 40 years, a notably long lifespan for that ancient time. The skull dates between 60,000 and 120,000 years ago and offers rare insight into early human life.
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