La Cueva de las Manitas: Conservación y Arqueología Experimental

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Checking the Pulse II, Current Research in Oaxaca Part 1" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Cueva de las Manitas is located in the municipality of Cuicatlán, in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, a place that is part of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve (RBTC). It is a rockshelter painted with anthropomorphic elements such as human bodies and hands (the reason for its name), zoomorphic and symbolic elements. Complementing the paintings are other artistic manifestations, including sculptures and natural figures, which were intentionally completed to make them look like fantastic faces. The stratigraphic sequence that has begun to be revealed denotes a long occupation of the cave, extending from hunter-gatherers’ occupation, to modern times. Many important studies are taking place giving us amazing news on the cultural significance of this cultural heritage. In this paper we will present evidence of the tools used for the creation of the paintings. In addition, the results of experimental archaeology will be presented to understand the creative process, the organic materials utilized, and generate a hypothesis for the meaning of this rock art. Evolving knowledge about the cave gathered through its excavation and conservation in the coming years, will expand public awareness of this region and its importance in the development of agriculture, which gave rise to civilization in Mesoamerica.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Checking the Pulse II, Current Research in Oaxaca Part 1   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38976.0