Chronology of the Rock Paintings in the Serra da Capivara National Park (Brazil)

Rock paintings in the semi-arid caatinga of Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, reveal one of the world's most extensive prehistoric art traditions. Radiometric dating techniques applied to 249 paintings across 105 sites demonstrate a continuous artistic tradition spanning at least 10,000 years, with some works dating back over 12,000 years—among the oldest in the Americas. This challenges previous assumptions about the chronology and cultural significance of Brazilian rock art. Researchers analyzed sediment accumulation patterns and stylistic evolution to establish a robust chronological framework, revealing layers of artistic expression from hunter-gatherer societies that thrived during the late Pleistocene and Holocene. The findings underscore the park's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving evidence of one of humanity's earliest and most enduring creative traditions.

Guidon, N., Martin, G., & Pessis, A.-M. (2013). Chronology of the Rock Paintings in the Serra da Capivara National Park (Brazil). Palethnologie, 5. https://doi.org/10.4000/palethnologie.3170