Cueva de las Manos, Argentina

Cueva de las Manos, Rio Pinturas, Argentina
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SantaCruz-CuevaManos-P2210651b.jpg
Author: Mariano


Cueva de las Manos, or Cave of Hands, is an archaeological site in Argentina famous for its prehistoric cave art. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Sites during the 23rd session of the World Heritage Committee, which met from 29 November to 4 December, 1999, in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Cueva de las Manos measures 24 meters in depth. The mouth is 15 meters wide. The ceiling of the cave gradually reduces to no more than 2 meters.

What to See in Cueva de las Manos

Cueva de las Manos has a collection of prehistoric cave art, particularly stencilled outlines of hands. Most of the stampings are of the left hand, indicating that the artists may have held a spraying pipe with their right hand. The paint ranges in color from red to white, black and yellow. The size of the hands are similar to a present-day 13-year-old boy, suggesting that it may have been done as part of a rite of manhood.

The river bed at Cueva de las Manos
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marianoc_IMG_8803_1.jpg
Author: Marianoc


Cueva de las Manos entrance
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marianoc_IMG_8565_copy.jpg
Author: Marianoc


Cueva de las Manos
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ID_876_Cueva_de_las_Manos_-_CAZ-2933.jpg
Author: Carlos Zito


There are also cave paintings of animals such as the guanacos, giving an idea of the animals roaming the area during that particular period. In addition, there are patterns on the ceiling of the cave, probably made by dipping their hunting weapons in pigment, and then throwing them to the ceiling.

History of Cueva de las Manos

Hunter-gatherers living in the southern Argentine region of Patagonia 13,000 to 9,500 years ago created the cave art seen in Cueva de las Manos.

Location of

Cueva de las Manos is located in Río Pinturas, in the Patagonia region of Argentina.

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: S47 9 W70 40
Inscription Year: 1999
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: III

Visiting Cueva de las Manos

Your base for visiting this World Heritage Site is Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. You should find your accommodation in Buenos Aires, and then get your hotel to help you make arrangements for visiting the sights in Argentina. I recommend that you base yourself in Buenos Aires rather than a smaller Argentine city, as you will have more options here. There will be plenty of tour packages to choose from, according to the amount of time you have in your hands.

Where is Cueva de las Manos

Cueva de las Manos is located inside Francisco P. Moreno National Park, 163 km (101 miles) to the south of Perito Moreno.

List of World Heritage Sites in Argentina and World Heritage Sites in the World

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