As the level of the Amazon falls to historic lows, ancient face carvings are revealed

In a startling discovery, ancient human faces sculpted into stone, believed to be up to 2,000 years old, have emerged on a rocky outcropping along the Amazon River. This remarkable find has been made possible due to the region's worst drought in over a century, leading to record-low water levels. While some rock carvings had been previously sighted, the current drop in water levels has revealed a greater variety of these enigmatic carvings, shedding new light on their origins and purpose. Archaeologists are now racing to uncover the mysteries hidden within these ancient stone sculptures.

Archaeologist Jaime de Santana Oliveira, who is leading the exploration of this significant discovery, expressed his excitement at the newfound diversity in the carvings. "The engravings are prehistoric, or precolonial. We cannot date them exactly, but based on evidence of human occupation of the area, we believe they are about 1,000 to 2,000 years old," Oliveira explained. This revelation offers a unique glimpse into the prehistory of the Amazon and the lives of its ancient inhabitants, long before European colonization.

The ancient stone carvings were exposed when the Amazon's water level dropped during a drought in Manaus, Amazonas state.

Ponto das Lajes: A Rich Archaeological Site

The rock carvings are located at Ponto das Lajes, a rocky point on the north shore of the Amazon, near the confluence of the Rio Negro and Solimões rivers. While these carvings were first documented in 2010, this year's drought has exposed a far more extensive collection of these remarkable relics. The Rio Negro, one of the Amazon's major tributaries, has dropped a staggering 15 meters (49.2 feet) since July, laying bare vast expanses of rocks and sand that were once submerged beneath the river's waters.

Archaeological Significance

The carvings themselves offer a fascinating insight into the lives and culture of the ancient Amazonian people. One section of the site displays smooth grooves etched into the rock, believed to be where Indigenous inhabitants once sharpened their arrows and spears. This suggests that the area held great importance as a hub for tool-making and resource gathering. The emergence of a human face sculpture carved into the rock is particularly intriguing, raising questions about its significance and whether it represents a deity, ancestor, or some other culturally significant figure.

Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM) archaeologist Jaime de Santana Oliveira points to one ancient stone carving.

Preservation and Research Efforts

The preservation and study of these newfound carvings are of paramount importance. The National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN), responsible for safeguarding Brazil's cultural heritage, is actively involved in overseeing the protection and study of these historic sites. Archaeologists and researchers are now collaborating to document, analyze, and interpret these ancient engravings, seeking to unravel their meaning and significance.

The rocky point is where two rivers - the Rio Negro and Solimões - meet.

Challenges in the Face of Drought

While the emergence of these ancient carvings is a momentous event for archaeology and understanding Amazonian prehistory, it is also a stark reminder of the environmental challenges the region faces. The severe drought, exacerbated by climate change, has impacted not only the uncovering of these historical treasures but also the livelihoods of communities and ecosystems that rely on the Amazon's waters. Efforts to address these challenges are crucial to ensuring the long-term preservation of both the Amazon's cultural heritage and its rich natural environment.

As the water levels in the Amazon River reach unprecedented lows, the past is resurfacing in the form of ancient stone carvings. These prehistoric engravings provide a unique window into the lives of the Amazon's ancient inhabitants, their culture, and their connection to the vast and mystical Amazon rainforest. With archaeologists working diligently to document and interpret these carvings, the mysteries of the Amazon's prehistory are slowly being unveiled, promising to enrich our understanding of this remarkable region and its people. However, these discoveries also serve as a sobering reminder of the environmental challenges facing the Amazon, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable conservation efforts to safeguard its cultural and natural heritage.