Archaeological studies undertaken by Brazilian and French scholars since 1975, awakened the international attention to the Serra da Capivara (Sierra of the Capybara) National Park.

In 1981 studies revealed that materials manipulated by the first primitive settlers of the continent were carbon dated as if they were 48 thousand years back in time. The investigations altogether revolutionized the classical theory that man first settled in the American continent 12 thousand years ago. The prehistoric people were found to have left their mark all over the park. These inscriptions are proved evident in the rock paintings, graphic representations of the culture of the people who lived in the area.

Brazilian scientist Niede Guidon insists that there are yet older materials in the park.

The park is sited in the State of Piau, in the northeast part of the country, 530 km away from the capital, Teresina. The area occupies the territories of the councils of Sao Raimundo Nonato, Joao Costa, Coronel Jos Dias and Canto del Buriti.

It has an area of 129,953 hectares and in 1991 it was put by UNESCO in the list of Cultural Patrimonies of Humanity.

The fauna is limited due to the characteristics of the weather and the environment's structure. The biggest killer in the entire region is the painted ounce, a type of jaguar, who can weight up to 50 kilograms and feeds on any other animal it can catch.

According to Science, there are over a 1.000 vegetal species in this park, from which 600 plus have been registered. Some plants found in the park show curious morphological characteristics that specially combine to resist droughts. In some cases leafs change their position solely to protect themselves from the sun.

Weather

Contrary to what people may believed, the weather in the world does not stay uniform, it changes and presents cycles.

The average temperature can go up or down; the winds regime change and therefore the marine currents are altered. These phenomenons make for the climate changes. The annual average warmth is of 28 C; the rainy season goes from October to the early weeks of May. The hottest period of the year goes from October to late November, when the average temperature rises to 35 C.

There are files showing that temperature in the region has reached a staggering 47 C. Temperatures can still drop to minimums close to 10 C in June, the coldest month.

Attractions

The Museum of the American Man

This center keeps samples of the discoveries made by studious investigators about the region. Amongst the exposed pieces, the mandibles of a sabre tooth, fragments of a fossilized cranium, pottery almost 9,000 years old, and a hatchet made of stone 9,200 years ago.

There are more than 400 galleries with rock paintings, kind of archaeological country houses, with scenes figuring sex, dancing, wars, hunting, crops and games. It is located at Son Raimundo Nonato.

Archaeological sites

The 48 archaeological sites have foot bridges to facilitate the access and observation of the rock paintings. They can be visited following 14 predetermined paths either by foot or driving a sports utility vehicle.

Some of these paths are long and go across almost inaccesible terrains. The Toca do Boqueiro da Pedra Furada shows inscriptions of various prehistoric periods on a 70 m wide huge wall.

At the Stio do Meio, besides the rock paintings, archaeologists have been able to find remains of instruments used by the ancient residents, such as objects made of chipped stone and fragments of pottery.

How to get there

The major point of reference to get into the park is the city of Petronila, in the State of Pernambuco, 350 km away. There is an airport operating in the city with regular programmed flights.

There is a bus service from this city and from Teresina - at 510 km - as well, both bound to Sao Raimundo Nonato.

Travel agencies specialized in eco-travelling regularly offer trips to the Serra da Capivara.