The chronology of the cave paintings in the Pedra Pintada Cave, Monte Alegre, Pará: Historical review and new data

Abstract

This article presents a summary of the various theories about the chronology of the cave paintings from Monte Alegre, as well as the formal characteristics of the themes represented at the Caverna da Pedra Pintada site. The main goal is to identify differences in style and consequently propose different periods for the execution of these paintings. To provide context for the cave paintings at this site, excavations were carried out in 2014 near one of the painted walls. A set of dates were associated with the recovered material, such as pigments, artifacts, and charcoal, as well as soot stains over the paintings; this information offers possibilities to contextualize the rock art activity at this site.