Mamilihpan, Historical monument in Amazonian forest of Maripasoula, French Guiana
Mamilihpan is a granite rock formation rising 404 meters above the rainforest floor, located between the Maroni and Marouini river watersheds. The structure features several shelter areas where rock paintings are found on the walls.
Regional archaeologists conducted two expeditions in 1996 that documented numerous rock paintings in the shelter areas. These discoveries established this rock formation as an important location for understanding indigenous artistic traditions in French Guiana.
The rock walls contain over a hundred indigenous paintings created by different groups across various periods. Visitors walking past the shelter can see the artistic traditions of the original people who lived in this region.
Reaching this location requires an organized expedition through dense forest with local guides familiar with the Maripasoula territory. Visitors should expect a challenging trek and bring appropriate equipment for rainforest travel.
Scientists discovered a previously unknown scorpion species, Ananteris mamilihpan, living only on this rock formation during a 2020 expedition. This discovery shows how isolated mountain formations in the Amazon can be home to animal species found nowhere else.
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