The main objective of my work as a rock art specialist within the LastJourney project is to map the different rock art typologies present at Cerro Azul including depictions of animals and humans as well as handprints and geometric patterns. Presently, my focus lies on an analysis of the various types of handprints. Notably, these handprints were imprinted by pressing a paint-covered hand onto the rock surface resulting in distinctive impressions often decorated with zigzags, spirals or linear patterns along the palm. My analysis also involves a comparative assessment of adorned handprints discovered at other rock art sites across South America.
Analysing handprints – Dr Barbara Oosterwijk
