"Cave of Hands" in Patagonia - the largest prehistoric monument of rock art
"Cave of Hands" in Patagonia - the largest prehistoric monument of rock art

Video: "Cave of Hands" in Patagonia - the largest prehistoric monument of rock art

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Cave of Hands in Patagonia - the largest prehistoric rock art monument
Cave of Hands in Patagonia - the largest prehistoric rock art monument

Rock painting is a kind of "gift" that has survived to this day from prehistoric times. Despite the fact that scientists managed to find primitive drawings in different parts of the world, one of the most famous caves where the "traces" of the past are kept is the Argentinean cave "Cueva de Las Manos".

Palm prints on the walls of the cave were left about 10 thousand years ago
Palm prints on the walls of the cave were left about 10 thousand years ago

Translated from Spanish, the name "Cueva de Las Manos" means "Cave of Hands", which is quite consistent with its "appearance". On the walls you can see stenciled palm marks. Researchers claim that these images were left about 10 thousand years ago. The technique for creating them is simple: primitive people took paint in their mouths and sprayed it around the palm using a special tube.

Hand cave in Patagonia
Hand cave in Patagonia

Most of the "hands" can be seen on the stone at the entrance to the cave. As a rule, the left palms are depicted, since the right, presumably, the artists held the instrument. In addition to the most ancient drawings, there are also later prints, which are superimposed on the primitive ones. Natural paints were used for painting: iron oxide for red and violet colors, kaolin for white, netroyarosite for yellow, manganese oxide for black.

In the cave you can see images of the sun, people, animals, as well as geometric and zigzag patterns
In the cave you can see images of the sun, people, animals, as well as geometric and zigzag patterns

In addition to handprints, images of the sun, people, animals, as well as geometric and zigzag patterns can be seen in the cave. There are also various scenes from the life of hunters: environment of prey, ambush, attack. In the pictures in the hands of hunters, you can see specific weapons - bolu, stone balls on belts.

Hand cave in Patagonia
Hand cave in Patagonia

Scientists believe that the handprints on the walls had a ritual significance, thus, most likely, the process of initiation took place, the transition into adulthood. Today the cave "Cueva de Las Manos" is one of the most famous sights of Patagonia, the largest prehistoric monument of rock art.

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