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| Only 8 km. from El Calafate you will find this important archaeological site where the first cave paintings in the province were discovered. These paintings have been partly recreated to be better appreciated. |
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| To get to these caves you must drive along Av. Libertador General San Martín to the outskirts of the city along Provincial Route 11. You can access by car, walking, horseback riding, or on the city tour. |
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Walichu Caves and Punta Bonita will take you back in time. Apart from their archaeological value, these caves on the pebble shore of Lake Argentino will surprise for the beauty of its environment. |
| Rock Art is displayed at your sight, and it is important to show respect in this place and not to leave any fingerprints on the paintings. |
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The illustrious explorer of Patagonia, Francisco Pascasio Moreno, made the first reference about the existence of these paintings made by the aborigines in Punta Walichu.
There is very useful information for the interpretation of this mysterious and sacred place dating from 4000 years ago. These paintings are attributed to the pre-Tehuelche people of the superior Paleolithic period. |
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These remarkable works can be seen along the interpretation trail, when you will also learn about this culture.
The Paleolithic was so called because of the skill of people to carve the stone. The materials used for these paintings were iron oxides with guanaco grease, plants resin, gypsum, egg whites and even human saliva. The colors used are red, ocher, yellow, black and white, and the techniques include digital painting, sometimes using hair, and blowing through a hollow guanaco bone. The technique used in the reproductions was the same as the one applied by the men of the Paleolithic. |
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"REPRODUCTIONS" INTERPRETATIVE TRAIL
This work, done with great respect and dedication, keeps the details, shapes, colors and original distribution of the motives. 1 Reproduction of symbols “ Cave of the Mummy” 2 Reproduction “ Torne Eaves” 3 Reproduction of “ Negative Hands” 4 Reproduction “ Cougar” 5 Reproduction of “ Kerronkenk malignant” 6 Reproduction of the “Big Cave” 7 Reproduction panel de “ Anthropomorphic Shapes” 8 Reproduction “Lake Roca and Estancia Chorrillo Malo” 9 Reproduction “ Estancia la María” "ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA" INTERPRETATIVE TRAIL This is the expression of those men who left testimonies of their presence in this place some 4000 years ago. 1 Panel of “Anthropomorphic Shapes” 2 Panel “ Pallid” 3 “ Negative Hands” 4 “ Big Cave” 5 “ Small Cave” 6 Engraving of a “ Matuasto” 7 “ Cave of the Virgin” Duration of the trail: two hours. |
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See also: Hotels in El Calafate and other accommodation venues |
| Back to El Calafate |
© 2003-2008 Total or partial reproduction forbidden. Derechos de Autor 675246 Ley 11723