Oldest Rock Art Discovered in Remote Patagonian Cave In a remote cave in Patagonia, Argentina, nearly 900 ancient paintings have been found, including human figures, animals, and abstract designs. Previously thought to be a few thousand years old, a new study reveals that the cave's mysterious comblike pattern dates back 8,200 years, making it the oldest known rock art in the region. The art provides insight into a culture that may have used the design to communicate across generations during a period of climactic shifts. The findings shed light on how ancient peoples in Patagonia coped with environmental challenges.