Early human occupants of the region have memorialized their surroundings in rock art deep within the thick Amazon rainforest of modern-day Colombia. An 8-mile length of rock embellished with hundreds of artwork has recently been uncovered deep in the secluded Serrana de la Lindosa region. The intricate images date from between 11,800 and 12,600 years ago, just as the Earth was emerging from the Ice Age. The public is just now receiving a first look at this prehistoric site, which was discovered in 2017 by experts from the United Kingdom and Colombia and will be featured in the Channel 4 series Jungle Mystery: Lost Kingdoms of the Amazon.
This magnificent piece of prehistoric art has been called the “Sistine Chapel of the Ancients,” and it is expected to disclose significant information about prehistoric South Americans.
Archeologists needed permission from both the Colombian government and the region’s unallied rebel factions to research the Serrana de la Lindosa rocks. A five-hour hike was also required to reach the spot. Researchers were astounded by the sheer quantity of individual paintings—uncounted in the tens of thousands. Prehistoric humans are shown in red-ochre (a natural clay color) among the flora and wildlife that previously inhabited the Amazon area. Modern viewers will recognize fish, lizards, and porcupines. Extinct prehistoric species like as palaeolama, mastodons, and gigantic sloths may also be found in the vicinity. These species roamed a grassland and scrub brush setting very different from today’s rainforest.
Prehistoric people are also featured in the old artwork. They hunt, dance, and wear masks. “The paintings provide a vivid and intriguing view [into] the life of these societies,” archeologist Mark Robinson said in a statement. At the moment, researchers examining the paintings can only speculate on the importance of specific scenarios. They are certain, however, that the Serrana de la Lindosa paintings will give crucial information on prehistoric human behavior and human-animal interactions. Among the bizarre actions described are persons dangling or jumping from wooden structures. The experts believe devices like this might explain how ancient painters created pictures on the rock face at heights far beyond the average person.
The cliff art preserves an era when the environment was changing. The Amazon rainforest as we know it now began to form around the end of the last Ice Age, around the time the rock art was made. For Ella Al-Shamahi, the archaeologist and explorer who also hosts Jungle Mystery, the rock art is a fascinating discovery that will take researchers years to study and research. “Seeing ice period megafauna since that’s a time marker was one of the most amazing things,” she adds.
I don’t think people comprehend how the Amazon has changed in appearance. It hasn’t always been like this.” While study on the site has been hampered by the epidemic, the team believes that the neighboring jungle contains additional prehistoric treasures waiting to be uncovered.
Researchers uncovered tens of thousands of 12,000-year-old red-ochre rock drawings on the Serrana de la Lindosa cliffs deep in the Amazon jungle of modern-day Colombia.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe rock art depicts prehistoric humans interacting with animals who used to roam the savannas which came before the rainforest.
Embed from Getty ImagesThese Ice Age creatures include mastodons and giant sloths.
Embed from Getty Imagesh/t: [Live Science, Smithsonian]
Wonderful!