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 Estimated reading time: 1 min. |
  Marcelo Sola |
Marcelo Sola |
Only 8 km. from El Calafate you will find this important archaeological site where the first cave paintings in the province were discovered... |
Only 8 km. from El Calafate you will find this important archaeological site where the first cave paintings in the province were discovered. These paitings have been partly recreated to be better appreciated.
To get to these caves you must drive along Av. Libertador General San Martín to the outskirts of the city along provincial route Nº 11. You can access by car, walking, horseback riding, or on the city tour. |
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Walichu Caves and Punta Bonita will take you back in time. Apart from their archaeological value, these caves on the pebble shore of Lake Argentino will surprise for the beauty of its environment. |
These remarkable works can be seen along the interpretation trail, when you will also learn about this culture.
The Paleolithic was so called because of the skill of people to carve the stone. The materials used for these paintings were iron oxides with guanaco grease, plants resin, gypsum, white of eggs and even human saliva. |
The colors used are red, ocher, yellow, black and white, and the techniques include digital painting, sometimes using hair, and blowpiping through a hollow guanaco bone.
The technique used in the remakings was the same as the one applied by the men of the Paleolithic. |
Rock Art is displayed at your sight, and it is important to show respect in this place and not to leave any fingerprints on the paintings.
The illustrious explorer of Patagonia, Francisco Pascasio Moreno, made the first reference about the existence of these paintings made by the aborigines in Punta Walichu.
There is very useful information for the interpretation of this mysterious and sacred place dating from 4000 years ago. These paintings are attributed to the pre-Tehuelche people of the superior paleolithic period. |
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"REPRODUCTIONS" INTERPRETATIVE TRAIL
This work, done with great respect and dedication, keeps the details, shapes, colors and original distribution of the motives.
1 Reproduction of symbols “ Cave of the Mummy”
2 Reproduction “ Torne Eave”
3 Reproduction of “ Hands in Negative”
4 Reproduction “ Puma”
5 Reproduction of “ Kerronkenk malignant”
6 Reproduction of the “Big Cave”
7 Reproduction panel de “ Antropomorphic Shapes”
8 Reproduction “Lake Roca and Estancia Chorrillo Malo”
9 Reproduction “ Estancia la María”
"ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA" INTERPRETATIVE TRAIL
This is the expression of those men who left testimonies of their presence in this place some 4000 years ago.
1 Panel of “Antropomorphics”
2 Panel “ Pallid”
3 “ Hands in Negative”
4 “ Big Cave”
5 “ Small Cave”
6 Engraving of a “ Matuasto”
7 “ Cave of the Virgin”
Duration of the trail: two hours. |
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Rates and fees must be requested from each operator.
Interpatagonia does not provide this kind of information. |
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