Mexico

Cueva Ahumada

Rock-shelter with cave paintings, Nuevo León, Mexico

Location

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Historical Context

About

Cueva Ahumada is an archaeological site located within several canyons in the village of La Rinconada, García Municipality, in the Mexican state of Nuevo León. Cave painting in northeastern Mexico covers two types of artwork: rock engraving, also called petroglyphs (Pictogram or pictographs). A third type of rock art, geoglyphs so far has not been detected in this region. Cave painting art is found in all human occupied continents, it is a world heritage, as proclaimed by UNESCO. Its antiquity goes back to the dawn of human prehistory. In France and Spain, the most ancient cave paintings date back to 30,000 years Before Present (BP).

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Regional end of last ice age occupation

c. 10,500 BP

Very early stone points in the region

>11,000 BP

University of Texas field program

1960–1967

Possible early Archaic deposits at Cueva Ahumada

c. 6000 BP

Boca de Potrerillos early occupation date

c. 8000 BP

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

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Miscellaneous Features

Carved StonesSpear PointsDense prehistoric domestic waste
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Artistic and Decorative Features

Cave PaintingsPetroglyphsRock EngravingsPictographs
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

Caves
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Environmental and Natural Features

Rock SheltersCanyons
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Food Production and Processing Features

Mortars (Molcajetes)
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

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Reference

Details

Country

Mexico

Coordinates

29.59° N, -108.16° E