Arte rupestre, etnografía y memoria colectiva: el caso de Cueva de las Manos, Patagonia Argentina

Cueva de las Manos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Patagonia, Argentina, offers a unique window into the past through its extensive rock art panels, spanning 9400 to 2500 years ago. A notable finding is the identification of recurring themes—scenes of hunting and pregnant guanacos (a type of South American camelid)—in relation to hand stencils, suggesting a deep cultural significance tied to subsistence and symbolic representation. By integrating ethnographic records, mythological narratives from the Tehuelche people, and historical accounts, researchers propose that these themes reflect enduring cultural practices and beliefs. This interdisciplinary approach not only advances our understanding of prehistoric Patagonia but also contributes to the construction of a collective memory that bridges ancient and contemporary societies.

(Ed.). (2021). Arte rupestre, etnografía y memoria colectiva: el caso de Cueva de las Manos, Patagonia Argentina. Revista Uruguaya de Antropología Y Etnografía, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.29112/ruae.v6.n1.4