The evolution of gateways determines variations in palaeoenvironmental (ecological and depositional) conditions affecting tracemaker communities, and hence biogenic structures. With respect to palaeogateways, bottom currents and associated deposits (i.e. contourites) may be approached through trace-fossil studies. Ichnological analysis – individual ichnotaxa and changes in ichnofacies – of Late Miocene contourites and associated facies from the Rifian Corridor palaeogateway (Morocco) reveals a major impact of food supply, flow velocity, seafloor heterogeneity and hydrodynamic energy. The fact that Eocene to middle Miocene deep-marine deposits, mainly contourites, from the nearby Indian palaeogateway (Cyprus) show ichnofacies replacement is evidence of increased bottom-current flow velocity associated with sea-level variations. Moreover, ichnofabric changes reflect pelagic, gravitational and bottom-current processes that simultaneously influence sedimentation. Changes in the trace-fossil composition of both areas, and in the shape of burrows, reflect intermittent bottom-current processes that governed contourite deposition. Neoichnological studies complement and validate the trace-fossil record of high-energy deep-sea environments that can occur in palaeogateways. Modern traces ( lebensspuren ) observed on the seafloor show variable features (e.g. diversity, density, morphology) depending on the type of disturbance that high-energy conditions exert on the trace-making benthic fauna. Parameters such as substrate consistency, nutrient availability/distribution and the duration and intensity of energetic events play a major role in determining lebensspuren features. We conclude that an integrative palaeo- and neoichnological approach is a powerful tool when used to improve our knowledge of benthic ecosystems in high-energy deep-sea environments such as gateways.