Serra da Capivara (PI) – The Origin of the American Man

Factsheet 4×1:

Date: 22/06/2012 the 24/06/2012

Saímos of: Petrolina-PE

Destination: Sao Raimundo Nonato-PI

Distance: 315 km

Travel time: almost 5 hours *

Path: *The time course is related to our choice in the way of major roads. In other words, followed by BR-235 through Remanso (BA) to the border with the continuing Piaui BR-324 to St. Raymond. These, BRS is to be, then, country's main trunk road, should be in better condition. No entanto, stretch of the BR-235 to the boundary of backwater BA / PI is horrifying (!!) and was elected by the Guide 4 Wheels as worse Country Road. So, recommend for anyone Petrolina there, pursued a course somewhat larger, but according to several people, best passable: Leaving the BR-407 Petrolina Afrânio direction and soon after that city take the PI-459 directly to St. Raymond. Increase is approximately 128km, but gains in time and quality of the ride!

Where to sleep: Parking at the Hotel Serra da Capivara

What eat different: Beef broth with cassava in the main square.

Tire cheio: The work of Dr. Niède Guidon at the Museum of the American Man and the National Park Serra da Capivara is to give pride to any Brazilian!!!

Tire murcho: The corruption and the neglect of both governments, State and Federal, with a work of such importance to the international scientific community.

"At the sound of cicadas to penetrate between the caatinga dry bush, where green jujube trees mingled with cactus leaves and pale and reddish at the entrance of the National Park Serra da Capivara. In popular belief, the corner points of the cigarette that will remain dry; already mandacaru, with their "arms" open as Christ on the cross, represents the penance of the backcountry, which had been destined by God to be born and live in that region. It, so, without knowing, we were about to witness the greatest archaeological discovery of the origin of American man, Sertão full em Piauiense ".

As we advanced in Piauí, the abundance that we have seen in Petrolina was lost inside interior. Rivers dry and leafless vegetation followed our path, while the smell of carrion mingled with the breeze with frequency. The heatwave punished when we reached the small town of Nonato. The city was a suggestion that we receive when we talked about our roadmap towards the north with some fellow travelers in Petrolina.

Nonato is the gateway to the Sierra Capivara, natural boundary that separates the basins of the San Francisco and Parnaíba. The beauty of the mountains, enhanced by Golden caatinga, hides the largest archaeological park in the world. Yes, the world's largest! Harbors element near 96 one thousand paintings in an area of 129 thousand hectares (almost as large as the city of Sao Paulo - which has 152 thousand has) and a perimeter of 214 km. We had no idea of ​​the magnitude and importance of what we were about to meet.

Once we got, went straight to the Museum of the American Man, where we could get a better view than knowing in Sao Raimundo. The museum staff was very helpful, especially the lady in reception.

In addition to passing the great information in relation to the tourist attractions of the city, as the museum itself and the National Park Serra da Capivara, the nice lady showed us guides, hotels and restaurants, and also told us about the work of archaeological exploration carried out in the city.

That's when we heard about the great work done by Dr. Niède Guidon and his team in the city. Moreover, though our visit was not planned, a Pull. received in, giving us the privilege to talk with her personally and learn more about its history (images that conversation in the video). A Dr. Niède is a person who has devoted much of his life to the archaeological project and tour the Serra da Capivara. Rosa Trakalo (Uruguayan tourismologist) and Anne-Marie Pessis (French archaeologist) are their "right arms". This team has transformed São Raimundo and the Serra da Capivara a center for studies, developed region, established a tourism project, battled (and still struggling very) that rulers open their eyes and realize that the region has the potential to become a major tourist attraction in the country.

A structure built at the cost of much sweat and effort of the team of Dr.. Guidon impresses muito. The American Museum of Man has a modest facade; however, once inside the structure, perceives that the museum leaves nothing to be desired in relation to the main museums in the country. There is presented to the tourist alternative theory on the emergence of man on the American continent, prepared by Dr. Gideon. She seeks to refute the classical theory that man came to America by crossing the Bering Strait (between Russia and Alaska), having come from Africa - the crossing would have been possible due to the freezing of the Strait during the ice age. According to their research, remains found in the National Park Serra da Capivara evidence that the man came to America after crossing the Atlantic, more than 100 thousand years ago.

During the visit you can see artifacts from the stone was chipped, funerary urns 4 to 6 thousand years ago, images of paintings (projected onto a huge screen), an interactive panel that allows the tourist to simulate an archaeological dig, ornaments and tools found in a prehistoric fire (of 10 thousand years ago), and others. There are several evidences presented, giving credence to the hypothesis of Dr.. Gideon. Noteworthy is also the fact the museum is very well prepared to receive disabled (as well as many archaeological sites within the park)! Moreover, it is sad to note that much of the investment made in the park, the museum and the Institute of American Man had to come from countries like Japan and France! A wealth of these should have its value recognized by the Brazilian government has long! An example of the neglect of our country is (not) construction of the airport Nonato - Dr. Guidon Luta há 20 years for the construction of this airport, that has already started repeatedly, but had all the money diverted due to the blatant corruption of the rulers.

Despite all the difficulties that Dr. and the annual battle is to ensure research grants (since the resources come from short-term contracts and there is a federal transfer perennial), follow their important research in progress and she continues working in the field to find additional evidence that can transform your event into a theory widely accepted by the international community.

The next day, Wake up early, take an enhanced breakfast each morning at the Hotel Serra da Capivara – we have been offered by Mr. Humberto, owner of the hotel.

Then we started to explore the riches of the archaeological park with guide Raphael (geographer and an expert on literature, history and cave paintings).

On reaching the park we were again surprised by what we found: well marked trails, ordinances structured, organizing the flow of tourists (not to disrupt the visitation points), preservation of local flora and fauna, ultimately, a structure be proud!

When we begin to see the first cave paintings left with his eyes fixed, dumb, contemplating! The feeling was quite different from what we had experienced: were a unique place in the world, in our country, with a structure that lies within never imagined Piauí, looking at paintings 3 the 12 thousand years ago, can observe evidence of a theory that changes the landscape of world prehistory, taking history lessons, culture and geography on-site… was all very unexpected and surprising! There was no way not to get stunned, was a unique and difficult to (d)written.

In spite of significant numbers, It is estimated that only 5% archaeological sites in the region have been explored. The Mountain of Trouble, region near the Serra da Capivara, possuí de 5 the 6 times the size of the city of Sao Paulo (840 thousand has) and imagines that she harbors over 100 thousand paintings! To develop the full potential of this region, the first undergraduate degree in Archaeology (do Brasil) emerged in São Raimundo Nonato in 2004 – is offered by UNIVASF (Federal University of São Francisco Valley). However, before its creation, is approximately 10 years old, 60 young people from São Raimundo were selected and trained by an expert in conservation of archaeological sites (he studied at the Sorbonne-Paris) for the paintings of the Sierra Capybara were recovered and reached a high degree of preservation in order that they might have a greater durability. Today, many of these young people work for large companies throughout Brazil and are working on construction sites that involve areas of archaeological sites. They became a skilled, highly skilled workforce! St. Raymond is actually a reference in the panorama of Brazilian archeology!

It is also worth mentioning that, besides the great privilege of talking with Dr.. Niède, we were lucky to be in Nonato precisely during the festivities of 100 years of the city!! The city center was very busy and venue of the competition was gang, it took a lot of people to the streets to cheer on your neighborhood association. It was another experience to share!! (pictures in the video)

Nonato expanded our horizons in relation to our wealth that Brazil has to offer at its four corners. More at the same time, reminded us of how corruption and neglect are still heavily loaded bales for our people.