Ancient Rock Art Discovered in Colombian Amazon Offers Insights into Early Human Life

Archaeologists have made a significant discovery in the Colombian Amazon, unearthing a giant rock adorned with extensive ochre paintings that date back 12,500 years. Located on Cerro Azul hill in the Serranía de la Lindosa region, the site features 16 panels showcasing a variety of creatures, including depictions of animals and humans transforming into one another. This remarkable find provides valuable insights into the mythologies and dietary practices of the continent's earliest inhabitants, as detailed in a recent study published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. The research team, led by Mark Robinson from the University of Exeter, conducted a thorough analysis of animal remains found in nearby archaeological sites, correlating them with the creatures illustrated in the rock art. Among the six panels examined in detail, one spans 40 meters by 10 meters and contains over 1,000 images, while another smaller panel features 244 well-preserved red paintings. In total, researchers documented more than 3,200 images, predominantly depicting animals such as deer, birds, and peccaries, although fish were notably underrepresented in the artwork. The findings suggest that the artists did not merely depict their diet, as the proportions of animal bones do not align with the representations in the art. Additionally, the absence of big cats, despite their status as apex predators, raises questions about the cultural significance of these animals. Dr. Robinson emphasized the complexity of Amazonian relationships with wildlife, indicating that animals were viewed not only as food sources but also as revered beings with supernatural connections. The paintings reflect a sophisticated understanding of diverse habitats, including savannahs and flooded forests, and hint at a rich mythology involving transformation between human and animal forms. Co-author Jose Iriarte noted that while the exact meanings of these images remain uncertain, they enhance our comprehension of the intricate power of myths within indigenous communities.