New discovery - spiritual rituals and social organization within the Pleistocene communities

 

In 1991, archaeologists made an unprecedented discovery in a remote region of Brazil - a massive collection of prehistoric rock art spanning over 8 miles within the Serra da Capivara mountains. Carbon dating revealed the drawings dated back approximately 12,600 years, offering a unique window into the late Pleistocene era in South America. The etchings depicted various fauna prominent during the last ice age, such as giant ground sloths and mastodons. This provided evidence that the environment was much different than the modern Amazon rainforest, dominated by now-extinct megafauna. The natural pigments used - hematite and manganese - indicated an early artistic tradition among the indigenous populations. Through analyzing recurring motifs and imagery, scientists gained new cultural insights. Hunting scenes and ceremonial depictions suggested spiritual rituals and social organization within the Pleistocene communities. Over time, the art cave became an important site for researchers seeking to reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions and hunter-gatherer lifeways during the late Quaternary period.