La Cueva de los Manos (The Cave of Hands) is a prehistoric rock art site that has stenciled handprints and hunting scenes. The people mainly hunted guanacos (llama-like animals). It dates back around 9,000 to 13,000 years, created by ancient indigenous groups, likely the ancestors of the Tehuelche people. To make the hand prints, the people used hollow tubes or bone pipes to blow pigment on their hands leaving the hand print bare but the space around it covered in color. The site was discovered in 1952 and has since been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and historical significance.


The photos of the prints from Google's pin were quite underwhelming but we decided to go anyway. Seeing it in person was pretty fantastic though so we both were thrilled we went.


Approaching the visitor center in the canyon:

Main hand print portion of the cave:

Other hand prints and symbols (dancing, drums, mountains, guanacos):