. The best known of them is the cave named Abrigo del Diablo ("Devil's rock face").
Geography
Situated in the western
Moquegua Region of the Osmore River. Located at an elevation of 2,200 m (7,200 ft) (2,800 m (9,200 ft) is also mentioned in another source[1]), they are two small caves each 15 m × 5 m (49 ft × 16 ft) in size, with a depth of 5 m (16 ft). The two Toquepala Caves in the high Sierra are located near the Quebrada Cimarron or along the Rio Locumba, which is a dry stream flowing from the Sierra to the desert.[2] The best known of the caves is "Abrigo del Diablo".[3]
History
The caves were seasonally occupied.
Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Perú which resulted in the discovery of the rupestral art (drawings inscribed on rocks in the caves).[1]
The detailed exploration of the caves was undertaken by Roger Ravines of the Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Perú in 1965.[1] Excavations from a pit dug to a depth of 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 in) was subject to radio carbon testing. The investigations revealed pre-ceramic habitation of the caves dated to 7,650 BC (10,000 BC is also mentioned). In one pit, remnants of paints along with brush wood were found at the same depth. He published his findings in 1965.[7] During the investigations, a fence was erected around the caves to prevent intruders from vandalizing the rock paintings. In spite of this measure there were incidents of surreptitious entry to the caves in which some of the rock paintings were damaged. Since then stronger security fencing has been arranged.[2]
Features
The caves have rock art of gatherer-hunters who are inferred to have lived in the caves about 10,000 years ago. There are more than 50 rock paintings drawn by the inhabitants of the caves of the Palaeolithic age of which 30 were studied. These scenes depict armed people hunting the
spear throwers. However, bow and arrow are not part of these scenes of rock art.[2][8] They are painted in seven colours.[9] Red was the dominant colour;[8][1] yellow and green are also mentioned.[10] The paint was made from hematite
Linares Málaga, Eloy[in Spanish] (1988). "Arte mobiliar con tradición rupestre en el sur del Perú". Rock Art Research (in Spanish). 5 (1). Australian Rock Art Research Association: 54–66.
Photography of some of the cave art.
The Toquepala Mine is located near the caves
