Can you interpret this ancient rock art?

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

Prehistoric rock paintings on a sandstone wall at Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, showing stylized human and animal figures in red, white, and brown pigments.

Prehistoric rock painting in red ochre showing a human figure with an outstretched arm reaching toward a large oval shape, likely depicting a honey-gathering scene, on a stone wall.

Inspiration for the Serra da Capivara National Park symbol

Ancient rock paintings in Serra da Capivara, Brazil, show two human figures holding a net, groups of people, animals including two monkeys, and large animal shapes painted in red ochre.

Prehistoric rock painting at Serra da Capivara, Brazil, showing red ochre human figures in headdresses walking in a line, with faint ritualistic and indeterminate scenes nearby.

Prehistoric red ochre rock paintings in Serra da Capivara, Brazil, show stylized human figures in scenes of violence, ritual procession, and figures with prominent phalluses.

Red ochre prehistoric rock painting on textured stone in Serra da Capivara, Brazil, showing a human-like figure with markings extending from the lower body.

Prehistoric rock painting in red ochre on a rough stone surface at Serra da Capivara, Brazil, depicting two abstract human figures facing each other in a pose interpreted as a kiss.

Can you interpret this ancient rock art?: Media

A guide to interpreting Brazilian pinturas rupestres

Images

Prehistoric rock paintings on a sandstone wall at Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, showing stylized human and animal figures in red, white, and brown pigments.

Rock art at the Toca do Boqueirão da Pedra Furada site in the Serra da Capivara National Park, Piauí, Brazil

The rock art in the Caatinga region was produced from locally sourced reddish ocher...

© Marcos Amend/Shutterstock.com

Prehistoric rock painting in red ochre showing a human figure with an outstretched arm reaching toward a large oval shape, likely depicting a honey-gathering scene, on a stone wall.

Serra da Capivara, Brazil

© Estela Morais Westphalen

Inspiration for the Serra da Capivara National Park symbol

Inspiration for the Serra da Capivara National Park symbol

© Photos Danny—iStock/Getty Images

Ancient rock paintings in Serra da Capivara, Brazil, show two human figures holding a net, groups of people, animals including two monkeys, and large animal shapes painted in red ochre.

Serra da Capivara, Brazil

© Estela Morais Westphalen

Prehistoric rock painting at Serra da Capivara, Brazil, showing red ochre human figures in headdresses walking in a line, with faint ritualistic and indeterminate scenes nearby.

Serra da Capivara, Brazil

© Estela Morais Westphalen

Prehistoric red ochre rock paintings in Serra da Capivara, Brazil, show stylized human figures in scenes of violence, ritual procession, and figures with prominent phalluses.

Serra da Capivara, Brazil

© Estela Morais Westphalen

Red ochre prehistoric rock painting on textured stone in Serra da Capivara, Brazil, showing a human-like figure with markings extending from the lower body.

Serra da Capivara, Brazil

© Estela Morais Westphalen

Prehistoric rock painting in red ochre on a rough stone surface at Serra da Capivara, Brazil, depicting two abstract human figures facing each other in a pose interpreted as a kiss.

Serra da Capivara, Brazil

© Estela Morais Westphalen