12,500-year-old Amazon rock art unveils ancestral connection with wildlife

Rock art explored by archaeologists in the Colombian Amazon sheds light on the intricate relationship early settlers had with the animals they encountered in the region. The stunning ocher illustrations of various animal species found in Serranía de la Lindosa at Cerro Azul reveal a deep-seated mythology involving transformative depictions of humans and animals. These remarkable paintings, possibly dating back to as far as 10,500 B.C., suggest that the areas have served as art galleries for thousands of years.

An international team from the University of Exeter and Colombian universities analyzed these artworks and the corresponding zooarchaeological remains. They found a vast range of animal depictions, including deer, birds, peccary, lizards, turtles, and tapir, cataloging a total of 3,223 images. Their findings are documented in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology's paper titled, "Animals of the Serranía de la Lindosa: Exploring representation and categorization in the rock art and zooarchaeological remains of the Colombian Amazon."

Among the panels studied in detail were six significant ones, including the expansive 40-meter-long El Más Largo, which boasts over 1,000 images. Interestingly, even though fish remains were prevalent in archaeological finds, their appearance in the art was limited to fishing scenes in two panels. The research underscores an interesting disparity where the proportions of animal representations in rock art did not match the variety found in dietary remains, suggesting a broader cultural significance beyond mere sustenance.

Dr. Mark Robinson from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Exeter mentions that "these rock art sites include the earliest evidence of humans in western Amazonia, dating back 12,500 years. The context demonstrates the complexity of Amazonian affairs with animals, who not only served as a food source but also held supernatural connotations, necessitating complex rituals." The images depict a rich cosmology present among indigenous Amazonians, involving transformative myths and the power inherent in animals like jaguars, who were sacred yet notably absent from the artwork.

Archaeologists began documenting these significant rock art sites after a 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and FARC, allowing safe re-exploration. The findings highlight the versatility and abundance of ecological knowledge early inhabitants had, as elaborated by Dr. Javier Aceituno from Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín: "The Indigenous people hunted an array of animals from aquatic, terrestrial, to aerial habitats, displaying wide subsistence strategies."

Researchers, including Professor Jose Iriarte of the University of Exeter, conclude that the imagery is invaluable to understanding the cultural fabric and mythological worldviews of early Amazonians. Though the images’ precise meanings elude certainty, they provide considerable insight into the powerful myths, taboos, and supernatural negotiations characteristic of Amazonian life.

Earlier, SSP told about a red textile found in an Israeli cave revealed middle Bronze Age origin.