Cuevas de Sumbay, Rock art caves at Misti volcano slope, Arequipa, Peru.
Located at 4,127 meters elevation, the Sumbay Caves contain over 500 paintings depicting local wildlife and human figures across nine different grottos.
Archaeological excavations in 1968 led by Máximo Neira revealed a settlement dating back 8,000 years, with evidence of early hunter-gatherer communities.
The cave walls display drawings of vicuñas, huanacos, pumas, and extinct suris, along with human figures performing hunting rituals and dances.
The caves require an 80-kilometer journey from Arequipa city followed by a 5-kilometer trek, with morning visits recommended due to better visibility.
The paintings utilize white, cream, yellow, and ochre pigments to create three-dimensional effects, with white markings representing the oldest artistic period.
Location: Arequipa
GPS coordinates: -15.97588,-71.34934
Latest update: April 17, 2025 05:07
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