Discovery of Gibraltar 2, 100th Anniversary (view technical specs)

Discovered in 1926 at Devil’s Tower Cave, Gibraltar 2 is the fossilised skull of a Neanderthal child whose remains have become central to understanding the prehistoric communities that once lived on the Rock. The find followed the earlier discovery of Gibraltar 1 at Forbes’ Quarry in 1848, and together these two specimens established Gibraltar as one of the most important locations for Neanderthal research in Europe. Gibraltar 2 offered rare evidence of juvenile development, helping scientists build a clearer picture of Neanderthal growth, behaviour and family structure.

The 100th Anniversary of Gibraltar 2 marks a century of study into the lives of these ancient inhabitants and the environment
they occupied. Excavations in Gibraltar have revealed stone tools, animal bones and traces of hearths, all of which contribute to our understanding of how Neanderthals hunted, prepared food and adapted to the shifting climate of the late Pleistocene. The surrounding landscape, with its cliffs, caves and coastal plains, would have provided shelter, resources and vantage points for the communities who lived there.

The commemorative stamps present scenes inspired by this archaeological record, including hunting, tool making, gathering and domestic life, set within reconstructions of Gibraltar’s prehistoric terrain. Artist Mauricio Antón has created detailed illustrations that reflect current scientific knowledge, portraying Neanderthals not only as skilled survivors but as social beings with complex behaviours and close family bonds.

This collection celebrates Gibraltar’s enduring contribution to the study of human evolution and highlights the continuing work of researchers who investigate the caves, fossils and artefacts that connect the Rock to the wider story of our ancient past.

Technical Specs