Archaeologists have discovered evidence of a lost civilization that once lived in South American at least 4,000 years ago.
They uncovered ancient drawings on a flat-top mountain in Venezuela, which featured colorful designs of dot patterns, leaf motifs and stick figures that may have been part of a mysterious ritual.
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of a ‘lost civilization’ in Venezuela depicting ancient rituals in 4,000-year-old drawings
The rock art was discovered on a mountain in Canaima National Park which could be ‘ground zero’ for where the indigenous culture first developed
The artwork featured stick figure drawings of people, dot patterns and distinct leaf motifs on a rock wall that might have been used as both a shelter for indigenous hunter-gatherers and the site for enacting ritual activities
The researchers aren’t sure why the ancient people created the art, but they could be related to birth, disease, nature or hunting
Although some drawings showed signs of organic disturbances such as lichen, algae, roots or wasp nests, the archaeologists noted the overhanging area of the mountain had preserved the panels.
‘These findings are exceptional because they are new to science, filling a gap in a region never before explored in archaeological terms,’ Pérez-Gómez said.
Some of the drawings were in out-of-reach areas that required the team to climb a ladder to photograph them
The hunter-gatherers used red ochre – a natural oxide pigment made from ground up clay, quartz and chalk – that had a slight orange hue
The researchers have called for the site to be protected and are optimistic that they will discover more rock art sites in the park which spans 11,583 square miles
Pérez-Gómez noted that faded graffiti was also found on the rock wall dating back to 1947 which appeared to belong to Spanish explorer Captain Felix Cardona Puig, who discovered the area.
Some motifs resemble claviforms, a club-shaped image or symbol, with faded figures underneath and surrounding it that could be a sign of successful hunting endeavors
Some of the drawings, like those that appear to depict a leaf, (pictured) are located in out-of-reach areas, and is ‘situated on a clean oval-shaped rock space, which may have inspired the artist to create this particular design’
Pérez-Gómez and are working with researchers in neighboring countries to determine whether the same cultural groups made the rock art
He and his co-author have called for the site to be protected and are optimistic that they will discover more rock art sites in the park which spans 11,583 square miles.