| Located in the picturesque Pinturas Valley are the world-renowned
prehistoric paintings of Cueva de las Manos, or the Cave of the
Hands. Radiocarbon dating indicates that these spectacular ancient images,
including hunting scenes, amphibians, felines, guanacos, or llamas, and
over 900 human handprints, were painted by semi-nomadic peoples during three
distinct eras. The first, encompassing the period 7400 to 5400 BC, is characterized
by dynamic black, ochre and yellow images. Scenes from the second period,
5400 - 1500 BC, are predominantly white and depict the dissociation between
man and animal. Images from the third period, 1500 - 700 BC, consist primarily
of intense red handprints, superimposed over previous scenes. Preservation
of these incredible records of the artistic, cultural and intellectual beginnings
of man is threatened by centuries of erosion. |