One of the biggest rock engravings ever seen has been uncovered.
Down in South America, scientists have uncovered what are presumed to be the biggest stone carvings the earth has ever seen. The engravings on the upper and middle Orinoco River in Venezuela and Colombia are thought to be at least 2,000 years old and stretching about 100 feet long. One of them is even longer than a blue whale.
In South America, the biggest ancient rock carvings are being excavated. Researchers from the University of Bournemouth (England), University College London (England), and the Universidad de los Andes (Colombia) found these massive etchings on the rock cliffs alongside the Upper and Middle Orinoco River. These carvings, published in the journal "Antiquity," depict a humongous snake measuring over 40 meters.
The researchers believe this snake carving to be the largest single rock carving in existence. They've also spotted other carvings showcasing human figures and enormous Amazonian centipedes. "These massive structures are truly imposing," says Philip Riris, lead author and historian of archaeological environmental modeling at the University of Bournemouth. "We think they were designed to be seen from a distance."
People in those days may have used the carvings as territorial markers. They could've also been displayed as signs for others to respect certain rules. Some of the carvings have been noted previously and could've been made up to 2,000 years ago. Comparable symbols on nearby pottery suggest they might be even more ancient.
A vast majority of the enormous carvings depict snakes, which the researchers suggest are either boa constrictors or anacondas. These reptiles played a significant role in the beliefs and mythology of the native population. "Snakes are usually perceived as very intimidating, so the location of the carvings might be a warning that certain behavior is required at these sites," Riris added.
The carvings are located on a section of the Orinoco River that is speculated to have been a crucial route for trade and travel in prehistoric times. This would make it a significant landmark for marking individual identities and informing visitors of their presence. José Oliver, from the UCL Institute of Archaeology comments, "This signifies that it was an important landing area, and it could've been more important to display a sign - to express local identity and advise visitors that someone is here."
So, there you have it - the discovery of gigantic carvings in South America that play a significant role in ancient civilization, mythology, and territory marking. Remarkable, isn't it?
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The historical rock carvings discovered in South America, along the Upper and Middle Orinoco River, are located in both Venezuela and Colombia. These scientific findings suggest that the carvings, which include depictions of massive snakes and human figures, are over 2,000 years old. The uncovered carvings have the potential to provide valuable insights into the ancient civilization and the mythology of the native population in South America.
