Founded in 1930 by the then Governor of Gibraltar, General Sir Alexander Godley, the museum houses an array of displays portraying The Rock's millennia-old history and the unique culture of its people.

[1] This was the second Neanderthal fossil to be found and was excavated in 1848 at Forbes' Quarry on the north face of the Rock of Gibraltar.

Encouraged by his elder brother Gilbert White, he collected zoological specimens which he studied and sent to England.

He took advice from Giovanni Antonio Scopoli and also later wrote in England, what is considered the first detailed zoological account of Gibraltar.

[5] The museum's establishment is credited to General Sir Alexander Godley, who was installed as Governor of Gibraltar in 1928.

Upon his arrival, he gave an opening address in which he highlighted his reformist aims, which would: "help to restore [Gibraltar] to its prosperity which had been showing signs of waning".

[10] Rooms dedicated to The Rock as a symbol, from the Pillars of Hercules to today including Phoenician and Carthaginian collections.

[10] Rooms devoted to the natural history of Gibraltar including reconstructions of past landscapes, walk-in cave and Neanderthals.

[10] This was an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from the British during the American War of Independence.

[10] Located within the museum's basement level lie the remains of a Moorish bath house built around the 14th century during the rule of Marinid dynasty.

[7] The site is now smaller than it was originally as the building suffered extensive damage during the Great Siege of Gibraltar.

This process of bathing would act like modern saunas whereby moving between hot and cold temperatures cleanses the body by sweating.