Pedra Pintada National Park

Pedra Pintada is a rock in Brazil that is an important archaeological site. It is famous primarily for the ancient rock paintings left by the Paleo-Indians. The site is located on the São Marcos Indian Reservation, in the state of Roraima, 140 km north of its administrative center, Boa Vista.

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Video: Pedra Pintada

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Highlights

Pedra Pintada translates from Portuguese as “painted stone”. The name of the monolith comes from the rock paintings discovered here. The images date back to 9200 B.C. The drawings are painted in red, pink, yellow, brown and white colors. They have special cultural value because they are among the earliest images found throughout the Americas. The finds have provided evidence that the Paleo-Indian culture originated earlier than the North American culture.

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The rock formation is 83 meters above sea level. Pedra Pintada’s own height is 35 meters. The monolith is quite large in width as well, its diameter reaches 60 meters. Inside the rock, caves about 12 meters long have been preserved. In the caves you can see artifacts of the Paleo-Indians who lived in the area for 1200 years: the remains of pottery, stone axes, ancient dyes, rock paintings.

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History of Pedra Pintada

The unique rock was explored by American archaeologist and anthropology professor Anna Kertenius Roosevelt. The main archaeological work was conducted from 1990 to 1992 with the support of the Field Museum and the University of Illinois at Chicago, where Anna taught.

The excavations determined that the monolith was formed 11,200 to 10,000 years ago. The lowest levels of Pedra Pintada are composed of radiocarbon and were studied by thermoluminescence. The research has helped prove that the Amazon basin was inhabited at an earlier period than scientists had previously believed.

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What to See

Pedra Pintada has a magnetic charm and offers the opportunity to touch the mysteries of the primitive world. It is one of the most visited places in Roraima by tourists. The rock is located in the Monte Alegre State Park with an area of 3,678 hectares, founded in 2001.

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The valley surrounding Pedra Pintada is characterized by picturesque landscapes. In the giant green space, the Parime River changes its shape and passes into a lake. It is best to come here in summer – at this time the level of the river is lowered and it can be waded across. When the waters are high, it was necessary to use a wooden bridge, but it has collapsed.

Important: Since Pedra Pintada stands on land belonging to an Indian reservation, you must obtain a permit to visit it. The FUNAI National Indian Foundation issues passes and sends guides to accompany travelers.

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In addition to being a pleasant walk near Pedra Pintada, it is important to see its archaeological treasures. The most interesting thing about Pedra Pintada is, of course, the rock paintings. In the drawings you can recognize:

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  • figures of men, women, children, animals;
  • sketches of domestic life, hunting scenes, religious rituals;
  • outlines of palms;
  • multicolored ornaments, mysterious patterns;
  • other stencils, dots, lines.

Many of the images are still a mystery to scientists.

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Among the ancient objects found at Pedra Pintada, the following stand out:

  • pottery wares preserved in the form of fragments;
  • stone axes, spearheads;
  • various dyes;
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  • traces of Brazil nuts, seeds, fruits;
  • skeletons of fish, birds, animals.

From the finds, it can be understood that the Paleo-Indians who lived here in the prehistoric era were hunters and gatherers. In addition, lithium has been found in the cave.

After exploring Pedra Pintada, we recommend stopping by the Indian reservation. The villagers receive travelers in a very friendly manner. At the local market, artisans sell a variety of handcrafted items. Tourists most often buy pocket-sized replicas of rock paintings as keepsakes. Traditional Indian cuisine can also be refreshed here.

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How to get there

The nearest major city to Pedra Pintada is Boa Vista. You can only get from it to the attraction by car. You need to follow the BR-174 road heading northwest. The trip will take about 2.5 hours.

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Another option is to sign up for a group tour. Trips to Pedra Pintada are organized by most travel agencies and guides in Boa Vista.

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