Discovered in the Amazon: Ancient Artwork Showcasing Spiritual Entities
Hunting down the ancient stories hidden deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, recently unearthed prehistoric wall drawings painted on the rock walls of Cerro Azul, Colombia, reveal a complex relationship between humans and animals. Far from being mere artwork, these illustrations show evidence of a deep spiritual connection that goes beyond survival and food sources.
Located within Colombia's share of the Amazon, the rock paintings have been traced back as far as 10,500 BC, according to new research. The art features lively depictions of deer, birds, lizards, turtles, tapir, and more. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter teamed up with scholars from other institutions examined the drawings and compared them to nearby animal remains to better understand the relationship between the early inhabitants and the wildlife around them.
Some creatures that were abundant in nature and local finds, such as fish, are remarkably absent from the art. Felines, which some local tribes in the region view as spiritual entities, were also omitted, despite their significance in Amazonian mythology.
The art seems to portray animal-human hybrids, but understanding their intended meaning can be tricky. "These images certainly offer a more nuanced understanding of the power of myths within Amazonian indigenous communities," says Jose Iriarte, a professor at Exeter who worked on the study. "They offer particularly fascinating insights into the more cosmological aspects of Amazonian life, such as what is considered taboo, how negotiations with the supernatural took place, and where power resided."
The uneasy political climate in Colombia has made archaeological work challenging. However, after a 2016 peace agreement between the government and FARC militia, new archaeological missions, including the one that unearthed the artwork at Cerro Azul in 2017, have gained momentum. The findings indicate that societies living in this Amazonian region were highly mobile, with a lifestyle centered around fishing, hunting, and gathering. Yet, the rock art suggests that their connection with the fauna around them went far beyond just nourishment and food sources, extending to the realm of the supernatural.
"The rock art sites at Cerro Azul date back to 12,500 years ago and offer an amazing glimpse into how these first settlers experienced their place in the world," says Mark Robinson, an associate professor at Exeter. "It provides valuable insights into how human settlers formed relationships with animals, viewing them as both a physical and spiritual presence integral to their lives."
The researchers urge caution when attempting to apply modern interpretations to the creators of the images and stress the importance of understanding Indigenous groups' advanced spiritual beliefs, rather than diminishing them. Instead, it is essential to appreciate the insights these ancient artworks offer about societies that balanced the reciprocal and interconnected relationship between humans and nature.
In essence, these prehistoric wall drawings serve as a key to unlocking the profound spiritual connection ancient Amazonian indigenous communities had with nature, shedding light on their rich history, beliefs, and practices.
- These ancient wall drawings at Cerro Azul, dating back to 12,500 years ago, provide a key to understanding the profound spiritual connection early inhabitants of the Amazon had with nature.
- The artworks, which include lively depictions of fauna such as deer, birds, lizards, turtles, and tapir, offer fascinating insights into the cosmological aspects of Amazonian life.
- Intriguingly, the art seems to portray animal-human hybrids, indicating a belief in the interconnectedness between humans and nature that extended beyond nourishment and food sources.
- As technology and science progress, it's crucial to approach these ancient artworks with nuance, understanding Indigenous groups' spiritual beliefs and appreciating the rich history, beliefs, and practices they represent, rather than diminishing them.
