Inca Cueva, Quebrada De Humahuaca Travel Guide

Inca Cueva, despite its name, is not a cave but a remarkable rock formation located in the Jujuy Province of Argentina. Situated in the northern sector of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, about 48 kilometers from Humahuaca, this site spans 226.5 square kilometers on the eastern edge of the Argentine Puna. The main feature is a large grotto, approximately 40 meters long, 5 meters deep, and 10 meters high, adorned with ancient rock paintings.These paintings, in white, red, and black, depict geometric shapes and various animals, predominantly llamas. The pigments used—charcoal for black, iron oxide for red, and another type of iron oxide for beige—were sourced locally, with some art dating back 9,000 years. Excavations have revealed fireplaces with carbon dating between 9,200 and 1,600 years old, indicating the site was visited regularly over millennia, though not permanently inhabited.In 1936, Dr. Justiniano Torres Aparicio discovered three mummies at Inca Cueva, named Chulina, Chulinita, and Rosalía. These mummies, now displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Humahuaca, exhibit distinct features differing from contemporary Andean people, suggesting a unique population with elongated skulls. Rosalía, dated to be 5,400 years old, may be the oldest mummy ever found. The site also yielded 4,150-year-old pipes containing traces of cebil seeds, suggesting the use of dimethyl tryptamine alkaloids in shamanic rituals.During the Inca period, Inca Cueva served as a tambo (Inca lodging or storage place) along the Inca Trail, about 50 km from other tambos. Today, Inca Cueva stands as a valuable archaeological site, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region. Despite some vandalism in the past, restoration efforts have been undertaken to preserve the ancient rock art. Visitors can explore the area with local guides, gaining insights into the history and significance of this unique desert oasis.