Giant rock engravings thousands of years old discovered in the Orinoco

BOGOTA- An international team of archaeologists discovered that a series of ancient South American engravings constitute the largest prehistoric rock art in the world. The engravings were found carved into the rock walls along the Upper and Middle Orinoco River in Venezuela and Colombia.

They featured a variety of images including depictions of giant snakes, human figures, and giant Amazon centipedes. His discovery was published in the journal Antiquity.

Finds in the Orinoco

Some of the engravings were dozens of meters long, with the largest measuring more than 40 meters long, and are believed to have been used to mark the locations of prehistoric indigenous tribes. The team believes this is the largest rock carving recorded anywhere in the world.

While some of the sites were already known, the team discovered several more and mapped 14 monumental rock carving sites, including some that are more than four meters wide or high. The team worked with local guides and used drone photography to record the sites.

At least 2,000 years old

Although it is difficult to date the rock carvings, similar motifs used on pottery found in the area indicate that they were created around 2,000 years ago, possibly much earlier.

Many of the largest carvings are of snakes, believed to be boa constrictors or anacondas, which played an important role in the myths and beliefs of the local indigenous population.

Lead author Dr Phil Riris of Bournemouth University said in a statement: “These monumental sites are truly large and impressive sites, which we believe were intended to be seen from a distance. We know that anacondas and boas They are associated not only with the creator deity of some indigenous groups in the region, but are also considered lethal beings that can kill people and large animals.

“We think the carvings may have been used by prehistoric groups as a way of marking territory, letting people know that this is where they live and that appropriate behavior is expected. Snakes are often interpreted as a threat, so that the location of the rock art could be a sign that these are places where you have to be careful.

Co-author Dr José Oliver, from the Institute of Archeology at University College London, said: “The engravings are mainly concentrated along a stretch of the Orinoco River called the Atures Rapids, which would have been an important trade route and of prehistoric travel. We believe that the engravings were intended to be viewed specifically from the Orinoco because most travel at that time would have been made by the river.

“The Orinoco is generally quite navigable up to this point, so it would have been a natural stopping point. Archeology tells us it was a diverse environment and there was a lot of trade and interaction. This means it would have been a key contact point, so “Leaving your mark might have been even more important because of that: marking your local identity and letting visitors know you’re here.” “The Orinoco is generally quite navigable up to this point, so it would have been a natural stopping point. Archeology tells us it was a diverse environment and there was a lot of trade and interaction. This means it would have been a key contact point, so “Leaving your mark might have been even more important because of that: marking your local identity and letting visitors know you’re here.”

The research team concludes that it is vital to protect these monumental rock art sites to ensure their preservation and continued study, and that the indigenous peoples of the Orinoco region are fundamental in this process.

Source: EUROPA PRESS