After Pablo Picasso’s visit to the Altamira cave paintings in northern Spain, he expressed a profound observation: “after Altamira, all is decadence.” This statement holds true as the artworks found in these caves, as well as numerous others spread across regions like France and Spain, are truly remarkable and stand as some of the finest creations in the history of art.
They offer us valuable glimpses into the minds of our ancestors, despite having been crafted tens of thousands of years ago.
10. Cueva de las Manos
The Cueva de las Manos is a captivating cave nestled in a remote region within the breathtaking Patagonian landscape of southern Argentina.
Its moniker, the Cave of the Hands, derives from the remarkable imprints of human hands sketched on its walls, accompanied by a plethora of depictions showcasing guanacos, rheas, and other fascinating creatures, along with vivid hunting scenes.
Interestingly, the majority of the hand outlines belong to the left hand, indicating that the artists likely held a spraying pipe in their right hand.
These awe-inspiring paintings are estimated to have been masterfully crafted between 13,000 and 9,500 years ago, adding to the enigmatic allure of this ancient site.
9. Chauvet Cave
The Chauvet Cave, located in southern France, houses remarkable prehistoric cave paintings that date back to ancient times. Through radiocarbon dating, experts have estimated that the oldest artwork in the cave could be around 32,000 years old.
This extraordinary discovery was made in 1994 by Jean-Marie Chauvet and his team of cave explorers, known as speleologists. The carved images within the cave depict various animals including ibex, mammoths, horses, lions, bears, rhinos, and more.
Notably, the ‘panel of horses’ showcases a remarkable use of perspective, as it exhibits several animals depicted on the same level and plane.
8. Laas Gaal
Laas Gaal is a fascinating collection of caves and rock shelters located in the northwestern region of Somalia. These caves hold a significant historical value as they house some of the oldest rock art in both the Horn of Africa and the continent of Africa as a whole.
These mesmerizing cave paintings date back approximately 11,000 to 5,000 years ago, providing us with a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors. The artwork depicts cows adorned in ceremonial attire, accompanied by humans, domesticated dogs, and remarkably, even a giraffe.
What makes these cave paintings truly remarkable is their remarkable state of preservation, as they have managed to maintain their crisp outlines and vibrant colors throughout the passage of time.
7. Altamira Cave
The Altamira Cave in northern Spain, which was unearthed in the late 19th century, holds the distinction of being the first cave to harbor prehistoric art.
The sheer brilliance and quality of the paintings within the cave caused doubt and suspicion among the scientific community, leading them to accuse Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola, the discoverer, of creating forgeries.
The prevailing belief at the time was that prehistoric humans lacked the intellectual capacity for artistic expression. However, in 1902, the paintings were finally recognized as authentic.
Today, the Altamira Cave remains a testament to the remarkable preservation of charcoal and ochre depictions, featuring exquisite representations of horses, bison, and handprints, making them some of the world’s most well-preserved cave paintings.
6. Bhimbetka
Bhimbetka, situated in central India, is a remarkable site adorned with more than 600 rock shelters adorned with fascinating prehistoric cave paintings.
These breathtaking artworks, predominantly executed in vibrant red and white hues, occasionally incorporating splashes of green and yellow, offer incredible insights into the lives and experiences of the cave-dwellers.
Alongside mesmerizing depictions of humans, these ancient masterpieces also abundantly feature majestic creatures like bisons, tigers, lions, and crocodiles.
It is astounding to note that some of these paintings date back a staggering 12,000 years, making them the oldest known artistic expressions in the region.
5. Lascaux Paintings
The Lascaux Caves, fondly known as the “prehistoric Sistine Chapel,” are a remarkable cave complex located in southwestern France. These caves house some of the most awe-inspiring and renowned cave paintings in the world.
The estimated age of these paintings is an astonishing 17,000 years. To discover these magnificent artworks, one must venture quite a distance from the entrance, implying that the ancient creators relied on candles for illumination.
Among the renowned artworks is the iconic “Great Hall of the Bulls,” which showcases depictions of bulls, horses, and deer.
Notably, one of the bulls illustrated measures an astounding length of 5.2 meters (17 feet), making it the largest animal ever found in any known cave.Regrettably, the caves have suffered damage due to the excessive number of visitors, leading to their permanent closure to the general public.
However, the French government has taken a proactive approach by erecting Lascaux II adjacent to the original site. Here, tourists are given the opportunity to view an exact replica of the cave, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of these invaluable artistic treasures.
4. Magura Cave
The Magura Cave, situated in the northwest region of Bulgaria, stands as a grand testament to the country’s natural wonders. Stretching across vast lengths, it proudly bears the distinction of being one of the largest caves in Bulgaria.
As you explore its depths, you will encounter a breathtaking sight – the cave walls adorned with magnificent prehistoric cave paintings. These ancient artworks, crafted thousands of years ago, transport us back in time, showcasing a glimpse into the vivid past.
Over 700 intricate drawings adorn the cave, each stroke carefully etched by the hands of our ancestors. These captivating depictions, brought to life with bat guano as pigment, unveil scenes of hunting grounds and joyful dancers, accompanied by a mesmerizing array of animals.
3. Kakadu Rock Paintings
Kakadu National Park, located in the Northern Territory of Australia, boasts an impressive collection of Aboriginal art sites.
With a staggering count of approximately 5000 discovered sites, these artistic treasures can be found along the escarpment and on rock outliers within the park.
The age of these Aboriginal paintings varies significantly, ranging from 20,000 years to more recent times, although the majority are less than 1500 years old.
One notable location within the park, known as Ubirr, showcases some of the most exceptional “X-ray art” in the entire world. Remarkably, the Aboriginal artists not only painted the outer appearances of animals but also intricately depicted their bones and internal organs.
2. Tadrart Acacus
The Tadrart Acacus mountain range stands tall in the vast Sahara desert of western Libya. It holds a treasure trove of rock paintings that give us glimpses into the past, dating all the way back from 12,000 BC up to 100 AD.
These ancient artworks beautifully capture the shifting landscape of the Sahara, back when it experienced a more humid climate. Around nine thousand years ago, the region was lush with greenery, adorned with lakes, forests, and bustling with a diverse array of wildlife.
The rock paintings found at Tadrart Acacus offer vivid depictions of magnificent creatures like giraffes, elephants, and ostriches, presenting us with a captivating window into the abundant wildlife that roamed these lands.
1. Serra da Capivara
In northeast Brazil lies the Serra da Capivara National Park, a place where you can find an abundant number of rock shelters adorned with fascinating cave paintings. These mesmerizing artworks depict various scenes like rituals, hunting, lush trees, and even capivara animals.
While some experts argue that the oldest cave paintings here were created around 25,000 years ago, a few geneticists beg to differ. They believe that such a timeframe contradicts the widely accepted date of human settlement in the Americas.
Thus, the intriguing debate continues among these knowledgeable minds.
