Gorham’s Cave
One of four caves in Gorham’s Cave complex. Cave has formed in Jurassic limestone and has an 18 m thick layer of sediments that contain very important finds including the latest find of Neanderthals who lived here 60 – 24 thousand years ago when the sea was far away from the cave and the area was rich with resources. This is the last known settlement of Neanderthals in the world. The time of their habitation includes an incision of eight lines, made at least 39,000 years ago, most likely made by Neanderthals – the oldest known abstract drawing in the world. 23 thousand years ago here started to live modern humans, who left some paintings on the walls of the cave. Phoenicians and Carthaginians used this cave as their shrine, leaving offerings here.
Hato Caves
Show caves, with many petroglyphs engraved by Amerindian people, prehistoric burials. Caves are adorned with many stalactites, stalagmites, other dripstone formations. Remnants of extinct animals.
Quadirikiri Cave
150 m long cave that opens in a limestone wall. Contain Amerindian petroglyphs, stalactites and stalagmites. Two large cave chambers are lighted through holes in the ceiling. Site of legends.
Lake Kairae dendroglyphs
Site where have been found 16 dendroglyphs made by Moriori people.
Taia dendroglyphs
Site with 21 dendroglyphs made by Moriori people.
Hapupu dendroglyphs
The richest find of the unique dendroglyphs left by the ancient Moriori people. In 1998 here were found 92 kopi trees (Corynocarpus laevigata) with ancient signs cut by Moriori people centuries ago. There are five groups of dendroglyphs on the islands, where 147 trees with carvings were found in 1998. In the 1950s there were known some 1,400 trees with dendroglyphs, in earlier times dendroglyphs were reported also on Pitt Island. It is possible that these markings are linked to the cult of dead or to burial rituals.
Jogimara Cave, Sita Bengra Cave
These caves served as ancient theater approximately 300 BC. Valuable inscriptions such as the world’s oldest love message.
Saspol Caves
A group of rock-cut Buddhist temples from the 13th – 15th century. 4 temples contain interesting paintings.
Sittanavasal Cave (Chithannavasal Cave) and Eladipattam
A rock-cut Jain temple from the 7th century AD. Temple contains some of the best medieval rock paintings in India.
Ravan Chhaya rock shelter near Sitabinji
A natural rock shelter which contains large tempera paintings from the 7th century AD showing a royal procession.