Look: Drought in Brazil's Amazon reveals ancient engravings

Photos

Login / Sign Up

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Gold / Forex

Photos News

Look: Drought in Brazil's Amazon reveals ancient engravings

The rock carvings are not usually visible because they are covered by the Negro River

Published: October 22, 2023 07:46 Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor and AFP

1 of 10

Copy of 755701-01-02-1697946271335 — An extreme drought in parts of the Amazon has led to a dramatic drop in river water levels, exposing dozens of usually submerged rock formations with carvings of human forms that may date back some 2,000 years. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 10

Copy of 755718-01-02-1697946254245 — The rock carvings are not usually visible because they are covered by the waters of the Negro River, whose flow recorded its lowest level in 121 years last week. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 10

Copy of 755731-01-02-1697946227518 — The surfacing of the engravings on the riverbank have delighted scientists and the general public alike but also raised unsettling questions. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 10

Copy of 755704-01-02-1697946263732 — The engravings comprise an archaeological site of "great relevance," said Jaime Oliveira of the Brazilian Institute of Historical Heritage (Iphan). Image Credit: AFP

5 of 10

Copy of 755702-01-02-1697946266885 — They are at a site known as Praia das Lajes and were first seen in 2010, during another period of drought not as severe as the current one. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 10

Copy of 755696-01-02-1697946284801 — Most of the engravings are of human faces, some of them rectangular and others oval, with smiles or grim expressions. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 10

Copy of 755721-01-02-1697946245447 — Archaeologist Jaime Oliveira shows ancient rock engravings that reappeared in the region of the Lajes Archaeological Site due to the severe drought affecting the region's rivers on the banks of the Negro River in Manaus, Amazonas State. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 10

Copy of 755730-01-02-1697946232093 — Archaeologist Jaime Oliveira shows ancient rock engravings. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 10

Copy of 755727-01-02-1697946241238 — Ancient rock carvings that reappeared in the region of the Lajes Archaeological Site. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 10

Copy of 755728-01-02-1697946234348 — Ancient rock carvings that reappeared in the region of the Lajes Archaeological Site due to the severe drought Image Credit: AFP

Latest In

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.