Rock art in caves and in the rocks of the canyon Salitre river in the municipality of Umburanas, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

This article describes the results of an archaeological survey that aimed to study an area of Salitre river, inserted in Bahia arid area in limestone, within the municipality of Umburanas, North-Central region of Bahia. The study consisted of prospecting activities and data collection interview with residents of two rural villages Umburanas (Peguentas and Marrecas). The studies resulted in the location of eight archaeological sites of rock art in limestone canyon located on the banks of Salitre river. The river is dry in this region and the canyon has natural caves, some containing paintings and speleothems. These eight archaeological sites, five are in caves, two are in cavities and is located in the rock. The theme of the sites is related to the recurring presence of suns and celestial comets, geometrical symbols of various sizes and some biomorphs. The location of the sites in areas that flooded periodically indicates the possibility of it being temporary occupations.