Ancient Amazon Rock Art Unveils Early Americans’ Bond with Wildlife
A gallery of striking ochre Paintings created directly on enormous rock surfaces provide insights into the intimate connection between humans and animals inhabiting the Amazon region millennia ago.
The art piece is situated on the rugged cliffs at Cerro Azul within the Serranía de La Lindosa region in Colombia. This particular site includes a total of 3,223 depictions featuring both human figures and wildlife such as an assortment of fish, reptiles, and mammals of different sizes. These details were revealed in a recent study published in the September edition of the journal. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology .
Part of the artwork shows creatures and people transforming into one another, pointing to "the intricate mythology that shaped centuries of native Amazonian communities," as stated in an official release. University of Exeter .
Even though the researchers haven't officially dated the artwork's canvas, they estimate it dates back to approximately 10500 B.C.
"The rock art locations contain the oldest traces of human presence in western Amazonia, dating as far back as 12,500 years ago," says the lead author. Mark Robinson , an associate professor from the Department of Archaeology and History at the University of Exeter, stated in the release.
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The group discovered a minimum of 22 different types of wildlife, which encompassed deer, avian creatures, peccaries, lizards, turtles, and tapirs. Upon cross-referencing these animal illustrations with prehistoric remains from adjacent dig sites, researchers noted that the frequency distribution of the depicted species diverged significantly from the ratio seen in the bone samples. This discrepancy suggests that indigenous inhabitants were selective about their artistic representations rather than painting solely based on dietary habits. Amongst the skeletal evidence recovered, signs pointed towards a varied menu comprising aquatic life along with both mammalian and reptilian terrestrial fauna like snakes and crocodilians.
Robinson stated, "This artwork offers a fascinating glimpse into how these early inhabitants perceived their position within the world and established bonds with animals." He further explained, "The setting reveals the intricate nature of Amazonians' interactions with animals—viewing them not only as sustenance but also as sacred entities endowed with mystical ties that necessitated sophisticated dealings by spiritual experts."
Due to the vast amount of rock art present, the researchers decided to concentrate on six panels. These include El Más Largo, which spans 131 feet (40 meters) and features approximately 1,000 illustrations, along with the considerably shorter Panel called Principal, measuring only 33 feet (10 meters), containing around 244 figures, as stated in their report.
Following the documentation of the artworks, experts discovered that 58% of the sketches were representational, with half of these portraying creatures. Additionally, they observed depictions of individuals engaged in fishing activities.
Scientists can merely hypothesize regarding the intent and importance of the petroglyphs.
"Even though we can't be sure about the meanings of these images, they definitely add more depth to our comprehension of how myths influence indigenous societies," said the study’s co-author. José Iriarte A professor of archaeology at the University of Exeter stated, “These findings offer profound insights into various facets of Amazonian existence, especially those related to broader cosmic elements. They shed light on what was deemed forbidden, the sources of authority, and the methods through which interactions with the spiritual realm took place.”
