Ancient Artists of Brazil: Cave Drawing of the Serra da Capivara

Ancient Artists of Brazil: Cave Drawing of the Serra da Capivara

In a remote corner of northeast Brazil, amongst the sandstone cliffs, rocky canyons and deep valleys of the Serra da Capivara, there are hundreds of prehistoric sites. Pedra Furada meaning ‘perforated rock’ was the first site to be excavated here by Brazilian archaeologist, Niéde Guidon and her findings caused uproar, challenging the Clovis theory that Homo sapiens arrived in the Americas 12,000 years ago. According to UNESCO, in light of these findings, the region represents one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world, and an outstanding testimony to one of the oldest human communities in South America.

Led by Dr Paul Bahn, this is a very special tour Brazil – Rock Art and the Pantanal, takes us to prehistoric sites seldom seen by foreign travellers. We will meet site archaeologists who will bring us up to date on the latest developments connected with these amazing discoveries and travel into the park by off road vehicle to see as much of the area as possible. We may catch sight of some of the animals depicted so beautifully in the rock art–armadillos, anteaters, ocelots, guans, agoutis, lizards, red deer, wild pigs, as well as a variety of birdlife.

After our brush with prehistory, we will journey from one remote region to another flying south and travelling into the Pantanal, one of the most biologically rich environments on the planet, saturated with wildlife and an absolute gem for photographers and naturalists alike. Here we search for jaguar, giant otter, anteaters, capybara, hyacinth macaw.

“The management of the holiday, on a day-to-day basis, was top quality. We wanted for very little and found it great fun to be with friendly, like-minded people.”

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, often simply referred to as Rio, is one of the most vibrant and iconic cities in Brazil. Known for its stunning natural landscapes, Rio boasts famous beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema, as well as the impressive Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue, which overlooks the city from Corcovado Mountain.

The city is also renowned for its lively culture, particularly its annual Carnival festival, which features elaborate parades, samba music, and vibrant costumes. Rio’s diverse neighbourhoods offer a rich mix of experiences, from the historic charm of Santa Teresa to the bustling nightlife of Lapa.

On our tour, we will explore two of its museums: the Museu Historico housed in a former arsenal and by contrast the ultramodern Museum of Tomorrow. We take a stroll in the Jardim Botanico. Along with its stately rows of palms, ornamental ponds and orchid greenhouses, it teems with over 9,000 different plant species and some of the most endangered flora in Brazil. Rio, sheltering between two mountains can be viewed from both and this evening we view it from Corcovado Mountain, home to the iconic art deco monument of Christ the Redeemer.

Serra da Capivara

Serra da Capivara is a stunning national park located in the northeastern region of Brazil, in the state of Piauí. Renowned for its rich archaeological significance, the park is home to some of the oldest rock art in the Americas, with paintings that date back to 25,000 years. These ancient artworks provide a fascinating glimpse into early human life and culture in the region.

The park spans over 129,140 hectares and features a diverse landscape that includes dramatic cliffs, deep canyons and dense forests. This varied terrain supports a wide range of flora and fauna, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts and wildlife observers. Serra da Capivara is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised for its outstanding universal value. It offers a unique opportunity to connect with the prehistoric past while enjoying the natural beauty and biodiversity of the area.

We spend five days exploring many extraordinary sites of the Serra da Capivara including visits to the site of Boqueirão Pedra Furada, a huge geological structure discovered by Niéde Guidon. An extremely important site surprising in the unique chronological range it covers: a stratigraphy of, at least 60,000 years of human occupation, in addition to traces of animals such as sabre-toothed tigers and giant sloths.

The rock art circuit also includes the sites of Toca do Sítio do Meio and Toca da Fumaça. We vvisit numerous sites including Toca do Vento, Toca do Mulungu, Toca do Caboclo da Serra Branca, Toca da Extrema, Toca do João Arsena, Toca do Veado, Toca Pingo de Boi and Sítio Andorinhas.

Pantanal

Founded by gold prospectors in the 18th century, Cuiabá sits on the Cuiabá River, a tributary of the mighty Paraguay and the gateway to the northern Pantanal, the world’s largest freshwater wetland.

The wetlands are comprised of a patchwork of different ecosystems – dense woodland, open savannah and rainforest.

On our tour, we enjoy a mix of safari drives and gentle walks in easy terrain. Our time is spent hunting for wildlife, walking from the lodge or adventuring out by our vehicle. There is no shortage of wildlife viewing opportunities here from the brightly coloured macaws which dart amongst the tree canopy to the comical capybara that frequent the wetlands. Other wildlife highlights include giant anteaters, giant otters, tapirs and jabiru storks and a vast range of other tropical birds.

We enjoy a sunrise safari, our best chance of seeing the giant anteater as it searches for food before we transfer to our houseboat permanently moored on the Piquiri riverbank.

The Pantanal is best known for its incredible jaguar viewing. This is best achieved by manoeuvrable boats in the northern part of the wetlands, where the cats have the habit of hunting along the riverbanks.

Cuiabá

Cuiabá, the capital of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, is a vibrant city that attracts visitors for several compelling reasons. One of the main draws is its proximity to some of Brazil’s most stunning natural attractions. Located near the geographical centre of South America, Cuiabá serves as a gateway to the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland area, renowned for its rich biodiversity and unique wildlife experiences.

Additionally, Cuiabá is a starting point for exploring the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, which offers breathtaking landscapes, waterfalls and hiking trails. The city itself is steeped in history and culture, with colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and a lively culinary scene that showcases the flavours of the region. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a nature lover, or a cultural enthusiast, Cuiabá has something to offer for everyone.

Expert-led

Join us in Brazil with your expert Guide Lecturer, Dr Paul Bahn. Dr Paul Bahn is the leading expert on prehistoric rock art worldwide and is certainly one of our best-known archaeologists. Paul led the team which discovered the first Ice Age cave art in Britain in 2003. He is not only a leading academic but a great exponent of popular and accessible archaeology, and he has been leading tours for Andante Travels since 2000, inspiring and enthusing our travellers in the famous caves of France and Spain, in open-air rock shelters in Portugal, Chile and Easter Island. His most recent publication, Images of the Ice Age, was awarded Book of the Year in the Current Archaeology Awards.