{"id":6468,"date":"2025-05-21T12:38:07","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T15:38:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/?p=6468"},"modified":"2026-04-16T17:08:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T20:08:32","slug":"cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/","title":{"rendered":"Cueva de las Manos (Cave of Hands): 9,300-Year-Old Rock Art in Patagonia"},"content":{"rendered":"<nav>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#introduction\">Introduction<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#history\">History &#038; Discovery<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#description\">Geographic &#038; Artistic Description<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#conservation\">Conservation &#038; Tourism<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#culture\">Cultural Significance &#038; Local Myths<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#timeline\">Timeline<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<h2 id=\"introduction\">Introduction<\/h2>\n<p>In the rugged heart of Argentine Patagonia, where wind sculpts the rocks and the Pinturas River winds through canyons, lies one of Earth&#8217;s most fascinating archaeological treasures: <strong>Cueva de las Manos<\/strong> (Cave of Hands). This archaeological site sits 88 meters above the river canyon within the Estancia Cueva de las Manos, between Perito Moreno and Bajo Caracoles. Declared a National Historic Monument in 1993 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.<\/p>\n<p>The cave measures 20m deep, 10m high, and 15m wide, with difficult access. Its significance lies in both the beauty and antiquity of its rock paintings, dating back 9,300 years. Among South America&#8217;s oldest artistic expressions, it parallels sites like Monte Verde (Chile), Pedra Furada (Brazil), and Piedra Museo (Argentina), supporting theories of early continental settlement.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UCicQPgOhuo\" title=\"Cave of the Hands \/ Tourist Destination Argentina - History and Origin\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6425\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6425\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a ref=\"magnificPopup\" ref=\"magnificPopup\" href=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/vista-panoramica-del-canadin-del-rio-pinturas.jpeg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\"  decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-6425\" src=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/vista-panoramica-del-canadin-del-rio-pinturas-1024x280.jpeg\" alt=\"Panoramic view of Pinturas River Canyon\" width=\"1024\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/vista-panoramica-del-canadin-del-rio-pinturas-1024x280.jpeg 1024w, http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/vista-panoramica-del-canadin-del-rio-pinturas-300x82.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/vista-panoramica-del-canadin-del-rio-pinturas.jpeg 1694w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6425\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Panoramic view of Pinturas River Canyon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Did You Know?<\/h3>\n<p><strong>70% of stenciled hands are left-handed<\/strong>. Artists used bone tubes to blow pigments while keeping their left hands free for tracing.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6450\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6450\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a ref=\"magnificPopup\" ref=\"magnificPopup\" href=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cuevas.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-6450 lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cuevas-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Ancient handprints at Cueva de las Manos\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-srcset=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cuevas-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cuevas-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cuevas-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cuevas.jpg 1300w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/1024;\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6450\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Young hunter-gatherer performing artistic ritual<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"history\">History &#038; Discovery<\/h2>\n<h3>Early Inhabitants &#038; Art Creation<\/h3>\n<p>Between 7,300 BC and 700 AD, nomadic hunter-gatherers\u2014ancestors of the Tehuelche people\u2014seasonally occupied the site. The earliest paintings depict guanaco hunting scenes, human figures, rhea footprints, and ritual symbols. Layered figures suggest an 8,500-year cultural continuity.<\/p>\n<h3>Modern Rediscovery<\/h3>\n<p>Explorer Francisco Pascasio Moreno first described the cave in 1876. Italian missionary Alberto Mar\u00eda de Agostini documented it in 1941, followed by archaeologist Carlos J. Gradin&#8217;s 30-year research (1964-1994) with Ana M. Aguerre and Carlos Aschero, supported by CONICET.<\/p>\n<div class=\"w-gallery fit_cover wp_gallery type_grid action_popup_image ratio_1x1 count_2\" style=\"--columns:2;--items-gap:8px;\">\n<div class=\"w-gallery-list\">\n<div class=\"w-gallery-item\">\n<div class=\"w-gallery-item-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" data-src=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia4-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium lazyload\" alt=\"Cuevas de las manos\" data-srcset=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia4-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia4.jpg 1024w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/225;\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"w-gallery-item-meta\">\n<div class=\"w-gallery-item-title\">Cuevas de las manos &#8211; pintura rupestre <\/div>\n<div class=\"w-gallery-item-description\">Cuevas de las manos &#8211; pintura rupestre <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"w-gallery-item-link\" aria-label=\"Cuevas de las manos - pintura rupestre \" ref=\"magnificPopup\" href=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia4.jpg\" title=\"Cuevas de las manos - pintura rupestre \"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"w-gallery-item\">\n<div class=\"w-gallery-item-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" data-src=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia2-300x225.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium lazyload\" alt=\"Cuevas de las manos - pintura rupestre\" data-srcset=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia2-300x225.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia2.jpeg 1024w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/225;\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"w-gallery-item-meta\">\n<div class=\"w-gallery-item-title\">Cuevas de las manos &#8211; pintura rupestre <\/div>\n<div class=\"w-gallery-item-description\">Cuevas de las manos &#8211; pintura rupestre <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"w-gallery-item-link\" aria-label=\"Cuevas de las manos - pintura rupestre \" ref=\"magnificPopup\" href=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia2.jpeg\" title=\"Cuevas de las manos - pintura rupestre \"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cEach hand is a cry across millennia: we were here, this is who we are.\u201d <cite>\u2014 Carlos Aschero, archaeologist<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"description\">Geographic &#038; Artistic Description<\/h2>\n<h3>Location &#038; Geology<\/h3>\n<p>Located 163 km south of Perito Moreno, the cave is carved into a 150-million-year-old ignimbrite cliff overlooking Pinturas River Canyon. Its overhangs protected the art from Patagonia&#8217;s extreme weather.<\/p>\n<p><a ref=\"magnificPopup\" ref=\"magnificPopup\" href=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6457 lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia3.jpg\" alt=\"Pinturas River Canyon\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-srcset=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia3.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia3-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Techniques, Pigments &#038; Styles<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Red:<\/strong> Hematite<\/li>\n<li><strong>Black:<\/strong> Manganese or charcoal<\/li>\n<li><strong>White:<\/strong> Limestone<\/li>\n<li><strong>Yellow:<\/strong> Limonite<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Art is classified into three periods: hunting realism (7,300\u20135,300 BC), negative handprints (5,300\u20131,500 BC), and abstract figures (1,500 BC\u2013550 AD). Techniques included bone-tube airbrushing, with animal blood\/fat as binders.<\/p>\n<p>Depictions feature hands, schematic humans, guanacos, rheas, armadillos, spirals, zigzags, concentric circles, and mythical human-reptile hybrids.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6429\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6429\" style=\"width: 779px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a ref=\"magnificPopup\" ref=\"magnificPopup\" href=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cueva_de_las_Manos2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6429 lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cueva_de_las_Manos2.jpg\" alt=\"Guanaco hunting scene with human figures\" width=\"779\" height=\"542\" data-srcset=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cueva_de_las_Manos2.jpg 779w, http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Cueva_de_las_Manos2-300x209.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 779px) 100vw, 779px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 779px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 779\/542;\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6429\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Guanaco hunting scene with human figures<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"conservation\">Conservation &#038; Tourism<\/h2>\n<h3>Protecting the Legacy<\/h3>\n<p>Since UNESCO designation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Protective barriers installed<\/li>\n<li>Metal walkways to prevent erosion<\/li>\n<li>Elsa Rosenvasser Interpretation Center (2024)<\/li>\n<li>Guided tours only<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Threats include mass tourism, vandalism, and nearby mining (Lomada de Leiva, Cerro Negro, San Jos\u00e9). Organizations like FADE warn of irreversible damage without management plans.<\/p>\n<h3>Visiting Information<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>From Bajo Caracoles:<\/strong> Provincial Route 97 (47 km gravel)<\/li>\n<li><strong>From Perito Moreno:<\/strong> Route 40 + 29 km marked detour<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Hours: 9 AM\u20137 PM<br \/>\nAdmission: USD 10 (foreigners) \/ USD 5 (Argentines)<\/p>\n<h3>Pro Tip<\/h3>\n<p>The Sendero Bajada de Los Toldos trail crosses the canyon, recreating ancient hunter routes. Picnicking by the river is allowed\u2014pack out all trash.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6457\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6457\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a ref=\"magnificPopup\" ref=\"magnificPopup\" href=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia3.jpg\" alt=\"Walkway facing the rock art\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6457 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia3.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arte-rupestre-cuevas-de-las-manos-patagonia3-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6457\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Walkway facing the rock art<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"culture\">Cultural Significance &#038; Local Myths<\/h2>\n<p>For indigenous peoples, the hands were more than signatures\u2014they marked rites of passage, territorial claims, herd fertility, and possibly shamanic beliefs. Quillangos (decorated hide blankets) share patterns with cave art.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cEach layer of paint respects prior ones, like a dialogue between generations.\u201d <cite>\u2014 Merry Wiesner-Hanks, historian<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"timeline\">Timeline<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>10,500 BC:<\/strong> Los Toldos settlement<\/li>\n<li><strong>7,300 BC:<\/strong> First cave paintings<\/li>\n<li><strong>1876:<\/strong> Documented by Francisco P. Moreno<\/li>\n<li><strong>1941:<\/strong> Rediscovered by De Agostini<\/li>\n<li><strong>1964\u20131994:<\/strong> Gradin&#8217;s research<\/li>\n<li><strong>1993:<\/strong> National Historic Monument<\/li>\n<li><strong>1999:<\/strong> UNESCO World Heritage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">FAQ<\/h2>\n<table class=\"faq-table\" style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f5f5f5;\">\n<th style=\"padding: 12px;\">Question<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 12px;\">Answer<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;\"><strong>How old are the paintings?<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;\">The oldest date to 7,300 BC, per carbon-14 dating of bone airbrush tubes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;\"><strong>How to get there from El Calafate?<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;\">Take Route 40 north to Perito Moreno (12-hour drive), then follow marked detour.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;\"><strong>Why mostly left hands?<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;\">Artists held pigment tubes in their right hands, leaving left hands free for stenciling.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How old are the paintings?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"The oldest date to 7,300 BC, based on carbon-14 dating of bone tubes used for painting.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How to get there from El Calafate?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Drive north on Route 40 to Perito Moreno (approx. 12 hours), then take the marked detour.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Why are most stenciled hands left-handed?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Artists held pigment-blowing tubes in their right hands, using their left hands for stenciling.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Cueva de las Manos is more than a Paleolithic museum\u2014it&#8217;s a millennial sanctuary connecting us to the continent&#8217;s first inhabitants. Each silhouette whispers: &#8220;we were here.&#8221; To visit is to encounter the origins of art, collective memory, and Patagonia&#8217;s soul.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ready to explore further?<\/strong> Discover <a href=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/destinations\/perito-moreno-glacier\/\">Perito Moreno Glacier<\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/mapuche-patagonia-history-culture-present\/\">Mapuche heritage<\/a> on our blog.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction History &#038; Discovery Geographic &#038; Artistic Description Conservation &#038; Tourism Cultural Significance &#038; Local Myths Timeline FAQ Introduction In the rugged heart of Argentine Patagonia, where wind sculpts the rocks and the Pinturas River winds through canyons, lies one of Earth&#8217;s most fascinating archaeological treasures: Cueva de las Manos (Cave of Hands). This archaeological&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6423,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[158,192],"class_list":["post-6468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history","tag-argentina"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Why Are 70% of These 9,300-Year-Old Hands Left-Handed?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the mystery of Cueva de las Manos, where ancient hunter-gatherers left handprints 9,300 years ago using bone tubes. UNESCO World Heritage Site in\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why Are 70% of These 9,300-Year-Old Hands Left-Handed?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the mystery of Cueva de las Manos, where ancient hunter-gatherers left handprints 9,300 years ago using bone tubes. UNESCO World Heritage Site in\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Outdoor Patagonia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-05-21T15:38:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-16T20:08:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cueva-de-las-manos-arte-rupestre-patagonia.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"769\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"outdoorpatagonia_6ube46\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"outdoorpatagonia_6ube46\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"outdoorpatagonia_6ube46\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/35aae532da6609e152ffda8ee0573d9c\"},\"headline\":\"Cueva de las Manos (Cave of Hands): 9,300-Year-Old Rock Art in Patagonia\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-21T15:38:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-16T20:08:32+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":708,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/cueva-de-las-manos-arte-rupestre-patagonia.jpeg\",\"keywords\":[\"Argentina\",\"Argentina\"],\"articleSection\":[\"History\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/\",\"name\":\"Why Are 70% of These 9,300-Year-Old Hands Left-Handed?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/cueva-de-las-manos-arte-rupestre-patagonia.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-21T15:38:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-16T20:08:32+00:00\",\"description\":\"Discover the mystery of Cueva de las Manos, where ancient hunter-gatherers left handprints 9,300 years ago using bone tubes. UNESCO World Heritage Site in\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/cueva-de-las-manos-arte-rupestre-patagonia.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/cueva-de-las-manos-arte-rupestre-patagonia.jpeg\",\"width\":769,\"height\":1024,\"caption\":\"Cueva de las manos - Arte rupestre en la Patagonia\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/history\\\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Portada\",\"item\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Cueva de las Manos (Cave of Hands): 9,300-Year-Old Rock Art in Patagonia\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Outdoor Patagonia\",\"description\":\"Explora la Patagonia: Flora, Fauna y Curiosidades\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Outdoor Patagonia\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/icono-op-2.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/icono-op-2.jpg\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Outdoor Patagonia\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/35aae532da6609e152ffda8ee0573d9c\",\"name\":\"outdoorpatagonia_6ube46\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/35494cedff4847eff3b3407ff0a307ba0f2f9668a793447f6e32fcd707e743e7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/35494cedff4847eff3b3407ff0a307ba0f2f9668a793447f6e32fcd707e743e7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/35494cedff4847eff3b3407ff0a307ba0f2f9668a793447f6e32fcd707e743e7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"outdoorpatagonia_6ube46\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Why Are 70% of These 9,300-Year-Old Hands Left-Handed?","description":"Discover the mystery of Cueva de las Manos, where ancient hunter-gatherers left handprints 9,300 years ago using bone tubes. UNESCO World Heritage Site in","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Why Are 70% of These 9,300-Year-Old Hands Left-Handed?","og_description":"Discover the mystery of Cueva de las Manos, where ancient hunter-gatherers left handprints 9,300 years ago using bone tubes. UNESCO World Heritage Site in","og_url":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/","og_site_name":"Outdoor Patagonia","article_published_time":"2025-05-21T15:38:07+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-16T20:08:32+00:00","og_image":[{"width":769,"height":1024,"url":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cueva-de-las-manos-arte-rupestre-patagonia.jpeg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"outdoorpatagonia_6ube46","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"outdoorpatagonia_6ube46","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["Article","BlogPosting"],"@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/"},"author":{"name":"outdoorpatagonia_6ube46","@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/#\/schema\/person\/35aae532da6609e152ffda8ee0573d9c"},"headline":"Cueva de las Manos (Cave of Hands): 9,300-Year-Old Rock Art in Patagonia","datePublished":"2025-05-21T15:38:07+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-16T20:08:32+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/"},"wordCount":708,"publisher":{"@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cueva-de-las-manos-arte-rupestre-patagonia.jpeg","keywords":["Argentina","Argentina"],"articleSection":["History"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/","url":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/","name":"Why Are 70% of These 9,300-Year-Old Hands Left-Handed?","isPartOf":{"@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cueva-de-las-manos-arte-rupestre-patagonia.jpeg","datePublished":"2025-05-21T15:38:07+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-16T20:08:32+00:00","description":"Discover the mystery of Cueva de las Manos, where ancient hunter-gatherers left handprints 9,300 years ago using bone tubes. UNESCO World Heritage Site in","breadcrumb":{"@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/#primaryimage","url":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cueva-de-las-manos-arte-rupestre-patagonia.jpeg","contentUrl":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cueva-de-las-manos-arte-rupestre-patagonia.jpeg","width":769,"height":1024,"caption":"Cueva de las manos - Arte rupestre en la Patagonia"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/history\/cave-of-hands-patagonia-unesco-rock-art\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Portada","item":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Cueva de las Manos (Cave of Hands): 9,300-Year-Old Rock Art in Patagonia"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/#website","url":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/","name":"Outdoor Patagonia","description":"Explora la Patagonia: Flora, Fauna y Curiosidades","publisher":{"@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/#organization","name":"Outdoor Patagonia","url":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/icono-op-2.jpg","contentUrl":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/icono-op-2.jpg","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Outdoor Patagonia"},"image":{"@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/#\/schema\/person\/35aae532da6609e152ffda8ee0573d9c","name":"outdoorpatagonia_6ube46","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/35494cedff4847eff3b3407ff0a307ba0f2f9668a793447f6e32fcd707e743e7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/35494cedff4847eff3b3407ff0a307ba0f2f9668a793447f6e32fcd707e743e7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/35494cedff4847eff3b3407ff0a307ba0f2f9668a793447f6e32fcd707e743e7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"outdoorpatagonia_6ube46"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6468"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8551,"href":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468\/revisions\/8551"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/outdoorpatagonia.dreamhosters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}