BEAUTIFUL ancient carvings of celestial bodies and animals have been discovered on cliffs in Brazil.
They are said to be 2,000 years old and depict a variety of things including celestial figures, wild boars and footprints.
The discovery was made according to Brazil’s Jalapão State Park Living Science.
During the three expeditions, researchers from Brazil’s National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage found 16 sites.
“This proximity suggests a possible link between the sites and clarifies the settlement patterns of the ancient communities that inhabited the region,” lead archaeologist Rômulo Macêdo told us. Living Science.
The paintings therefore helped researchers understand the layout of the ancient community.
Red paintings have also been found at the site, but they are said to be older than the carvings.
This could possibly mean that they were painted by a different cultural group.
It is thought that the pre-colonial indigenous peoples of Jalapão created the carvings.
According to Live Science, no engravings from this group have been found so far.
This makes the discovery extremely important to learn more about this lesser-known culture.
It is thought that stone tools and ceramic artefacts found at the site were used to create the carvings.
What the rock art means is still a mystery, but researchers think it may have a spiritual meaning.
“Further analysis of petroglyphs and archaeological excavations at the sites will provide new information about the way of life and spirituality of these indigenous groups,” Macêdo told LiveScience.
Despite its rare rock art, Jalapão State Park is threatened by vandalism, deforestation and erosion.
The National Institute for Historical and Artistic Heritage would work with research institutions to protect the area.