Europa Foreshore to be designated as protected archaeological site

The Government is moving to designate Europa Foreshore as a protected archaeological site under the Heritage and Antiquities Act.

Number Six says the designation will formally protect the coastal area between Bleak Beach and Dead Man’s Beach, with residential properties excluded from the scheduled area.

It says the area preserves evidence of human occupation stretching back tens of thousands of years, including Neolithic remains dating to approximately 5,400 BCE, and stone flakes characteristic of Neanderthal activity dating to approximately 90,000 – 100,000 years ago.

The Government adds significant areas of the foreshore remain largely unexplored archaeologically, and could still contain valuable evidence of Gibraltar’s prehistoric past.

It says the area also contains important 20^th century military heritage.

The Government says the designation follows consultation with the Heritage and Antiquities Advisory Council, the Heritage Trust, the National Museum and the Nature Conservancy Council.