8-Mile-Long Canvas of 12,600-Year-Old Rock Art Discovered in Amazon Rainforest | Ancient Architects

A huge canvas of rock art that was painted around 12,600 years ago has been discovered in the Amazon Rainforest.

The rocky canvas does on for 8 miles or 13 kilometres on the hills above three rock shelters in the Colombian Amazon. The intricate art, drawn with red ochre is found at the archaeological site known as Serrania La Lindosa, which is found on the northern edge of the Colombian Amazon.

They date to the end of the last ice age, between 12,600 and 11,800 years ago, a time when the Amazon was still transforming into the tropical forest we know today.

There are literally thousands of ice age paintings that have been hidden for so long, including handprints, geometric designs and many animals including deer, bats, aligators, monkeys, turtles, snakes, porcupines, horses and three-toed hoofed mammals with trunks. Watch this short news story video now to learn more.

Short clip of The Simpsons is copyright 20th Century Studios, created by Matt Groening.

[pawoodsman]

8 miles long. That stayed hidden this long. Just imagine what else is hidddn in the jungles.

[TheSergius]

Graham Hancock must be having a blast lately.

[andydonnelly]

To quote Mr Hankock "stuff just keeps getting older".

[garyfreeman]

It's amazing the things being discovered. I hold a belief that man is much older than its history.

[JohnPeter]

Incredible find, Amazon is like a Treasure chest waiting to be opened

[infinidominion]

That's some perma ink to survive a rainforest

[MachineThatCreates]

The similarity to Australian Aboriginal rock art is undeniable. Absolutely fascinating.

[walkerlogan]

its almost like not making art isnt even an option for humans. we can be going through a cataclysm and still paint haha

[tappedoutxc]

It's amazing it has survived this long being subjected to the elements.

[harrietlyall]

Oh wow! So unbelievably beautiful! Thank you for flagging up this amazing Amazonian showcase of our ancestors’ creativity.

[Hypnotikshiva]

The energy that is felt from a today's times hand in front of the created one from years ago is just explosive.

[lzdmglg]

Interesting sing-song narrative. Wonder if there is another genre.

[Morpholaf]

It would take a miracle for such a livid coloured paint job to be preserved so well after being exposed to the weather and elements for 12600 years. Wonder if it was burried most of the time, or being restored by locals through the years

[RDDPro]

Absolutely amazing! I've never seen anything like this. Please continue to follow up and bring us more information on this!

[jordanw]

8 miles... Absolutely incredible. Just imagine the time that would have taken.

[grimmace]

You do a phenomenal job tracking down the obscure photos. I thought I had been following this story, particularly, and you still had photos I had not seen! Thank you!

[andyb]

This is incredible. 8 miles long is insane! I think the importance of this site will grow as more is studied about it. And thanks for the recommendation for the program tonight Matt, I'll be tuning in for sure :)

[the.french.lobstercolinrau]

The truth and mysteries about humanity story, as presented by your work, is far more mesmerizing than any alien theory or modern shows, thanks

[owl]

the rock looks like a proper canvas. How did it remain hidden? How did it survive the rain? very intriguing..cannot wait to hear more

[TheARguy]

My buddy, Cory would have loved to watch this. We were like brothers. RIP, taken too soon.