Caverna da Pedra Pintada

Caverna da Pedra Pintada is an archaeological cave in Monte Alegre with walls covered in paintings and hand prints from top to bottom. The artwork uses mineral pigments in brown, red, and yellow tones and depicts both geometric designs and human figures.

The cave was excavated between 1990 and 1992 by archaeologist Anna C. Roosevelt, who found evidence of human settlement dating back roughly 11,200 years. This discovery showed that the Amazon region was occupied much earlier than previously believed.

The painted walls show hand prints and figures that visitors can see directly, offering a window into the lives of the people who created them. The images depict daily activities and beliefs that shaped the community.

Access to the cave is through Monte Alegre State Park, a large protected area with trails and signage to guide visitors. Wear sturdy shoes since the path involves uneven terrain and natural obstacles.

The cave holds over 30,000 stone artifacts, showing that early inhabitants lived here for extended periods rather than passing through. This high density of objects makes it one of the most revealing sites for understanding early human settlement.