Pedra Pintada is an archaeological site and rock formation that is is located in the state of Roraima, 140 kilometres from the state capital of Boa Vista, in the Indian São Marcos reservation. Translated from Portuguese, it means "painted stone".
The rock reaches 35 metres in height and about 83 metres above sea level. In this rock, archaeological scientists have discovered a cave with remnants of the famous rock art, fragments of pottery, dyes, stone axes, rock crystal implements, bones of small animals and fish, seeds and many other fossilised objects that testify to the presence of primitive human settlements here. The drawings of people, animals and symbols that were found were in the colour white and pink. It's because of them that the name "painted stone". The archaeological site of Pedra Pintada dates back to around 2000 BC.
Nowadays, Pedra Pintada is a famous attraction in Brazil. Many tourists from all over the world come here to see traces of ancient human activity. For tourists are specially organised tours of the caves. There's also a small market on the Indian reservation, where you can buy memorable souvenirs with the image of rock paintings of ancient people, and get acquainted with the local cuisine.
