Cave Paintings Baja California
A journey to cave paintings of the sierra de san francisco is definitely a serious baja adventure.
Cave paintings baja california. One of the most impressive and unique experiences in baja california is the cave paintings of the sierra de san francisco. They only became known to the outside world in 1962 when an expedition was initiated by mystery writer erle stanley gardner. Over 300 different painted caves or rock shelters have been discovered in the baja. Humans have been in baja for at least 12 000 years perhaps much longer.
The archive includes the rock art of the serpent cave and a baja great murals style guide. Photograph by harry w. There are actually three sites that can be seen in one day although it would be better to spread your adventure over two days so you don t have to rush your visit. The existence of the cave paintings was known to spanish missionaries in the 1700 s.
In the book the cave paintings of baja california author harry crosby says in the sierras of central baja california hidden in most forbidding terrain thousands of brilliant paintings survive in caves and shelters. Take for instance baja california. Over life size animals on the wall of cueva pintada are typical of the ancient paintings of the sierra de san francisco in central baja california. 40 baja cave paintings ranked in order of popularity and relevancy.
This unesco world heritage area concentrates some of the best preserved and most impressive rock art sites in the world known as the great murals 400 sites have been recorded in the region and most of the sites remain intact and in good condition. Many of the paintings rock surfaces. Are very much with us. The baja great murals are found throughout the mountains and arroyos of the baja california peninsula of mexico focussed in the sierra de san francisco a unesco world heritage site they are part of the american rock art archive.
Why we love it. And the people who painted the rock murals. The cave paintings near mulege as well as the rock art offer up another outstanding baja adventure. Cave paintings near mulege.
This one is easy to arrange and involves an almost effortless day trip. Painted by a pre hispanic group in the region known as the cochimies the cave paintings in baja date back from 100 bc to 1300 ad. These cave paintings in baja close to costa palmas are one of the most outstanding concentrations of prehistoric art in the world.