HISTORY · HISTORICAL MARKER

Chumash Painted Cave

Los Padres National Forest, California
· Priceless Paintings Offer Intriguing Link to Our Past
History
7
The walls inside this cave are covered with red, black, and white images created by Chumash people, who have lived in this area for thousands of years. The artists were probably shamans or priests who came here seeking power or spiritual strength as they tried to influence supernatural beings and forces to intervene in human affairs. They used charcoal, red ochre, and powdered shells for their paints, but the meaning of the intricate images was lost with the destruction of their way of life. One black circle may depict a solar eclipse that occurred in 1677 A.D.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free

FIND IT

California · United States
Los Padres National Forest, California
NATIONAL FOREST · 72 STOPSExplore Los Padres National Forest, California
Hear every story as you drive
4.7 Stars · 800+ Ratings
Hear this story on the road