2,000-year-old carvings of celestial bodies and animals discovered on rocky cliffs in Brazil

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Brazilian archaeologists have found a large number of 2,000-year-old rock carvings that show images of human footprints, objects in the sky, and representations of animals like deer and wild hogs.

Researchers from the Brazilian National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage found 16 pre-colonial archaeological sites during expeditions from 2022 to 2023 in the Jalapão State Park in Tocantins state.

The archaeologist who led the project, told Live Science via WhatsApp.

Many of the recently discovered carvings are symbols made by wearing away rocks over time. The team also found a few red paintings at some of the sites. "It's probably that the paintings are older than the carvings, and that they were made by another group of people," Macêdo said.

an archaeology professor at the Federal University of Tocantins in Brazil said in a text message to Live Science

The early ceramic and stone tools found at archaeological sites in Jalapão may have been used to create artwork. "The engravings were likely made with stones and pieces of wood, while pigments for painting were created by crushing iron-rich minerals, which are common in the area; the powder was then mixed with fat from animals or plants and applied to the rock with fingers or sticks," Macêdo explained.

Related: Severe drought exposes over 100 ancient rock carvings in an Amazonian tributary, potentially dating back as far as 2,000 years.

The discoveries in Jalapão are still being extensively researched. Nevertheless, they have similarities with archaeological sites in other regions of Brazil, which likely date back around 2,000 years, according to Macêdo.

"Further analysis of the rock art and archaeological digs at these sites will provide more insights into the way of life and spirituality of these Indigenous groups," he said. The results may also help to clarify the "symbolic assets of pre-colonial populations," Macêdo added.

The Jalapão State Park spans approximately 13,000 square miles (34,000 square kilometers). This park features arid landscapes with expansive dunes, rivers, and giant rock formations, making it a notable standout within the surrounding Cerrado biome, a unique tropical savanna recognized for its remarkable biodiversity. Located about 430 to 500 miles (700 to 800 kilometers) south of the Amazon rainforest, secluded in a separate area.

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Plans to collaborate with research institutions to develop projects to preserve and protect the region's archaeological remains. "Sandstone, along with environmental factors such as strong winds and sunlight, erodes rock paintings," Zimmermann said.