TOCANTINS, BRAZIL—Newsweek reports that researchers from Brazil’s National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) identified rcok engravings that may date as far back as 2,000 years at 16 archaeological sites in Jalapão, the eastern region of the state of Tocantins. There is evidence for human occupation in the area that dates to some 12,000 years ago. At some of the sites, which are close to each other along the same rock face, they also found a smaller number of paintings in red pigments. The artworks depict human footprints, tracks of animals such as wild pigs and deer, and figures resembling celestial bodies. "In addition to the relationship of proximity, what connects these sites is the recurrence of the symbols represented, demonstrating that the creators of the rock records, especially the engravings, shared the same belief system," said IPHAN archaeologist Rômulo Macedo. The techniques used to make the paintings, as well as the subjects represented, suggest that the paintings are likely older than the engravings and may have been created by a different culture, he added. To read about ancient forestry practices in southern Brazil, go to "Ancient Foresters."
