Pedra Pintada, Archaeological site near Monte Alegre, Brazil.
Pedra Pintada is an archaeological site featuring caves and rock formations that contain ancient art and remains of early human settlements. The caves hold thousands of stone tools and artifacts alongside paintings displayed across multiple surfaces.
The site shows evidence of human settlement dating back approximately eleven thousand years, with tools and charred remains from early inhabitants. Excavations in the 1990s uncovered these ancient traces and revealed how long people had occupied this region.
The rock art features hand stencils and geometric patterns painted in brown, red, and yellow, created by the region's earliest inhabitants. These images tell the story of people who lived here thousands of years ago and left their mark on stone.
Access is through Monte Alegre State Park, which offers guided tours that lead visitors through the caves and exhibition areas. Plan for proper footwear and time to navigate the rocky paths and uneven surfaces throughout the site.
The cave paintings at this location rank among the oldest known artworks in South America, predating previous assumptions about human settlement of the continent. This discovery shifted our understanding of when and how people first reached the Americas.
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