'From previously unknown culture': This 4,000-year-old rock art has stunned archaeologists

Archaeologists in Venezuela may have discovered traces of a previously unknown ancient culture after they stumbled upon rock art dating back thousands of years. The discovery was made in Canaima National Park in southeastern Venezuela, and the archaeological team said it is unclear why people created this art.

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Jos谷 Miguel P谷rez-G車mez

At least 4,000 years old

According to them, more than 20 such ancient rock art sites have been uncovered, consisting of both pictograms and petroglyphs, estimated to be about 4,000 years old. The rock art was painted in red and featured geometric shapes such as dotted lines, rows of X's, star-shaped patterns, and interconnected straight lines. There are also depictions of leaves and stick figure drawings of people, as well as star-shaped patterns and other geometric designs.

Jos谷 Miguel P谷rez-G車mez

Who made them?

Other than the location and shapes, archaeologists say they have little to no knowledge about the people who created it or the meaning of the rock art. According to Jos谷 Miguel P谷rez-G車mez from Sim車n Bol赤var University in Caracas, previous studies have found no signs of human activity in the region, suggesting the art was made by a previously unknown civilization.

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Similarities to other rock art

Some have also suggested that these paintings resemble other rock art from South America, such as that from Brazil, Colombia, and Guyana, but they also show the rise of a unique cultural group that was previously unknown.

Jos谷 Miguel P谷rez-G車mez

Could be related to rituals

Equally puzzling is the purpose of these artworks.

"It is almost impossible to get into the minds of people living so many years ago," P谷rez-G車mez said. However, he added that "definitely these signs had a ritual meaning. For instance, the different depictions may be related to birth, diseases, the renewal of nature, or good hunting. The places where the rock art was created most probably had a meaning and an importance within the landscape, just as churches have a meaning for people today."

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