History can be known from various sources. Ancient monuments, buildings, architecture, art everything is helping humans to learn more and more about the past. Earlier paintings, engravings, and rock art were performed by the inhabitants which are even still present. Some of the prehistoric cave paintings are mentioned below.
Prehistoric Cave Paintings
1. Magura Cave, Bulgaria
Also renowned as the Rabisha Cave, Magura Cave is one of the most attractive places in Bulgaria spreading over an area of 28600 square meters. Along with lighting, steps, and pathways, various bats are also present inside this cave. Built nearly 15 million years ago with multiple doorways, Magura Cave is also a major site for artists for performing their performances.
Because of the presence of various wonderful and ancient paintings of space bodies, tools, humans, varying shapes, and various other creatures, Magura Cave is one of the most famous visiting sites in Bulgaria. Thrilling paintings from different periods of human activities of dancing, hunting, individuals with masks, and also sketches of different animals, and stars are carved all around this cave.
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Image Source: Plamen Stoev
2. Cueva Des La Manos, Argentina
Listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1999, Cueva Des La Manos is one of the most ancient architectural caves in Argentina. Along with beautiful rock art, various hand prints and multi-colored paintings are the main centers of attraction. Because of various rock art of hand models inside this cave, it is also known as the ‘Cave of the Hands.
By the presence of more stencils of left hands, it was concluded that the paintings must be made by holding the sprayer in the right hand and keeping the left hand as a base. Usage of the colors like red, white, black, purple, and yellow in hand models, models of human hunting, and different animals, depicts the beautiful architecture, culture, and human customs of that time.
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Image Source: Wikimedia
3. Bhimbetka rock shelters, India
Found in 1957, Bhimbetka cave is present in Madhya Pradesh of India and is best known for containing primeval art of Indian civilization. Paintings printed on the uneven rocks of caves provide knowledge about the life of people at that time and so UNESCO added Bhimbetka to the record World Heritage Site in 2003.
Various beautiful paintings representing the clothing, hunting and agricultural routine, traditions, victories, fear, and common activities of the residents are present inside this cave. With the use of colors like red, green, orange, yellow, and white, most of the paintings were present at a certain height mostly on ceilings in order to preserve them from damage. Though now the color of those bright paintings has got dull still it is a must-visit place to learn about early customs and life.
Image Source: Wikipedia
4. Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil
Located in the North Eastern part of Brazil, Serra De Capivera is a national park of over 129140 hectares of land and was known in 1979. Included as World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991, this park is a great place for preserving its history and being a cave shelter. With rock dwellings and walls adorned with almost 25000 years old paintings, this park is well-known for having around 300 archaeological places, the largest and the earliest prehistoric park with utmost beauty and pleasant atmosphere. Moreover, this place gives a complete review of the lives of natives, plants, animals, and wildlife.
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Image Source: Wikimedia
5. Laas Geel, Somalia
Among various wonderful caves of Africa, Laas Geel is one of them which indicates “source of water for camels”. Though this cave is not well-known and is undervalued, it contains some of the oldest prehistoric paintings. With the usage of red, yellow, orange, and a little black and white also, around 350 paintings of tribal, local, and animal demonstrations are present on the walls and ceilings of nearly 20 rock shelters. Presenting different sights of humans doing various tasks, traditional outfits, and also house-trained animals, the cave paintings are must watch.
Image Source: Wikimedia
6.Tadrart Acacus, Libya
Located in the Sahara Desert of Libya, Tadrart Acacus was included as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. Containing thousands of paintings from 12000 BC to 100 AD, Tadrart Acacus provides a lot of information about the culture and lifestyle of the Saharan empire.
Based on the structure of various animals like elephants, ostriches, giraffes, camels, horses, and also human structures performing various tasks like dancing, singing, and more, distinct paintings and engravings are present inside this cave. With beautiful sceneries depicting natural, wildfire, and climatic changes in the region, this place has become a major tourist spot.
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Image Source: Wikimedia
7. Chauvet Cave, France
Found in 1994 on 18 December with a length of 1300 feet, Chauvet Cave is present in France. th most unique feature of the paintings there is that they represent the attitude, behavior, and lifestyle along with figures. Along with 35000 years old paintings, remains of various animals and traces of both humans and animals many of which are now extinct were also found there.
Paintings of nearly 13 animal species with some extinct species also and partial human figures or a mix of female and bison bodies are present there. Most of the paintings and engravings are having red and black colors and this place is a major primeval site.
Image Source: Wikimedia
8. Kakadu Rock Paintings, Australia
Included in World Heritage Site, Kakadu is a major national park of Australia and is well-known for its ancient rock art. Spreading over 200002 kilometers, it is a dwelling for almost 280 birds and 2000 plant species. Having nearly 5000 distinct places, Kakadu national park has 20000 years old paintings in it. Providing an overview of human doings, animal skulls, and skeleton pictures, it is having various ancient cave paintings.
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Image Source: Geoff Whalan
9. Altamira cave, Spain
Having a lot of precious and historic cave paintings, the Altamira cave of Spain is included as a World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. Found in 1868, around 20000 years old paintings are present inside this 971 feet long cave.
Various engraved and painted designs of distinct animals like deer, bison, and horses; left and right-hand prints, masks formation, patterns from dots, and theoretical shapes are present in black, violet, and red color not only on walls but also on the ceilings of the cave. Along with that diverse things like knives, axes, flint pieces, ashes, animal bones, horns, fauna, and dyes were also found at the doorway of the cave.
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Image Source: Wikimedia
10. Lascaux paintings, France
Found in 1940 by 18 years old boy, Lascaux cave is one of the most renowned caves for preserving nearly 17000 years old rock art pieces and is situated in France. This 16 feet high and 66 feet wide cave is having nearly 1500 impressions carved in rocks and 600 paintings.
With the theme of different patterns, symbols, human representations, and animal figures mainly including equines, stags, cattle, and bison along with some birds, bears, and rhinos, the paintings are well decorating the walls of the cave. Having astonishing paintings and engravings in black, violet, red, yellow, and brown colors, Lascaux Cave is present on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1979.
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Image Source: Wikipedia
This is the list of the most famous prehistoric cave paintings in the world. Kindly share and do post your comments.
