Reconstructing the past of Gibraltar

The first known Gibraltarian woman Credit: Gibraltar National Museum

THE history of Gibraltar goes back to Neanderthal man and new discoveries coupled with new techniques are allowing for even more to be known about its past. 

The remains of a Neolithic woman, named Calpeia (a reference to the Rock’s classical name) were discovered in a cave near Europa Point in 1996. 

Thanks to recent advances it was possible to collect segments of her DNA and this new information allowed researchers and curators at the Gibraltar National Museum to start a process of forensic reconstruction in an attempt to put a face to the skull.  

The result is a realistic portrayal of the head of Calpeia and is the face of the earliest known modern human Gibraltarian woman to have lived on the Rock. 

Written by

John Smith

Married to Ophelia in Gibraltar in 1978, John has spent much of his life travelling on security print and minting business and visited every continent except Antarctica. Having retired several years ago, the couple moved to their house in Estepona and John became a regular news writer for the EWN Media Group taking particular interest in Finance, Gibraltar and Costa del Sol Social Scene. Currently he is acting as Editorial Consultant for the paper helping to shape its future development. Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

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