Ancient Cave Paintings -
Las Pintadas
«Las Pintadas» are located in the Sierra de San Francisco in Baja California Sur
These murals, created by the now-extinct Cochimí people, date back over 1,000 years, with some possibly as old as 7,500 years.
The paintings depict humans, deer, rabbits, bighorn sheep, birds, and marine life, often in dynamic scenes that reflect ceremonial or hunting practices.
What makes them particularly striking is their large scale, vibrant red, black, and ochre pigments, and the remote, rugged canyons in which they are found – accessible only by mule or foot.
Las Pintadas are just one of several sites in the region recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the broader designation of the Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco. These works offer a unique window into the spiritual and daily lives of Baja’s ancient peoples.
American historian, photographer, and writer
His curiosity and documentation efforts led him to extensively photograph, map, and study the Great Mural rock art.
In the 1970s, Crosby undertook a months-long journey through the remote central Baja peninsula.
His most influential work, the book «The Cave Paintings of Baja California» (first published in 1975), combined stunning photographs with narrative descriptions and cultural context.
Thanks in large part to Crosby, the murals gained broader recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.