Ancient artists created the works between 12,600 and 11,800 years ago.

oward the end of the last Ice Age, prehistoric artists painted tens of thousands of images—including depictions of mastodons, giant sloths and other now-extinct animals—on cliff walls in the Amazon rainforest, reports Dalya Alberge for the Guardian. Archaeologists found the first of the enormous set of images in 2017 but kept the trove secret while continuing work and preparing a television series on the discovery.

RELATED CONTENT
Thousand-Year-Old Rock Art Likely Served as a Gathering Point for Llama Caravans Crossing the Andes
A British-Colombian research team funded by the European Research Council spotted the paintings stretched across eight miles of cliffs in the Serranía de la Lindosa, which is part of the Colombian Amazon. The red-ocher art features fish, lizards, birds, geometric patterns and humans, including people dancing. In at least one image, a human dons a mask suggestive of a bird’s face. Also shown are an extinct camelid known as a palaeolama and a type of horse that lived in the region during the Ice Age.

“The pictures are so natural and so well made that we have few doubts that you’re looking at a horse, for example,” team leader José Iriarte, an archaeologist at Exeter University, tells the Guardian. “The horse had a wild, heavy face. It’s so detailed, we can even see the horse hair. It’s fascinating.”

Live Science’s Laura Geggel reports that ancient artists created the works between 12,600 and 11,800 years ago. At the time, the area was transforming from a landscape of savannas, shrubs and forests into the tropical rainforest seen today. According to team member Mark Robinson, also an archaeologist at the University of Exeter, the people who made the images were probably among the first humans to live in the western Amazon.

“The paintings give a vivid and exciting glimpse the lives of these communities,” says Robinson in a statement. “It is unbelievable to us today to think they lived among, and hunted, giant herbivores, some which were the size of a small car.”

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tens-thousands-12000-year-old-rock-paintings-found-colombia-180976427/

They look extremely well preserved.

Bubblecar said:

They look extremely well preserved.

That’s what I thought.

Tamb said:

Bubblecar said:

They look extremely well preserved.

That’s what I thought.

Wasn’t going to say anything but now others have, I’ll jump on the wagon they rolled.

roughbarked said:

Tamb said:

Bubblecar said:

They look extremely well preserved.

That’s what I thought.

Wasn’t going to say anything but now others have, I’ll jump on the wagon they rolled.

okay. Me too then. They do look like they are in good nick. But they are a lot younger than what we have on offer. The ones we are blowing up.

(Same sort of dates as the caves in France and Spain)

sarahs mum said:

roughbarked said:

Tamb said:

That’s what I thought.

Wasn’t going to say anything but now others have, I’ll jump on the wagon they rolled.

okay. Me too then. They do look like they are in good nick. But they are a lot younger than what we have on offer. The ones we are blowing up.

(Same sort of dates as the caves in France and Spain)

True.

sarahs mum said:

roughbarked said:

Tamb said:

That’s what I thought.

Wasn’t going to say anything but now others have, I’ll jump on the wagon they rolled.

okay. Me too then. They do look like they are in good nick. But they are a lot younger than what we have on offer. The ones we are blowing up.

(Same sort of dates as the caves in France and Spain)

They appear to be on an exposed hillside & thus subject to weathering.

sarahs mum said:

roughbarked said:

Tamb said:

That’s what I thought.

Wasn’t going to say anything but now others have, I’ll jump on the wagon they rolled.

okay. Me too then. They do look like they are in good nick. But they are a lot younger than what we have on offer. The ones we are blowing up.

(Same sort of dates as the caves in France and Spain)

The most famous paleolithic art in Europe is 30k+ years old:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_of_Altamira

Bubblecar said:

They look extremely well preserved.

It’s the fault of those dumb Archaeologist, you can’t trust them once they’ve been snorting coke then staggered 8 km before collapsing. Don’t you lot think that sophisticated aging techniques have been used to determine their age? Age of relicts are one of the most important details to ascertain.

Tamb said:

sarahs mum said:

roughbarked said:

Wasn’t going to say anything but now others have, I’ll jump on the wagon they rolled.

okay. Me too then. They do look like they are in good nick. But they are a lot younger than what we have on offer. The ones we are blowing up.

(Same sort of dates as the caves in France and Spain)

They appear to be on an exposed hillside & thus subject to weathering.

Read the article……………you are wrong!

PermeateFree said:

Bubblecar said:

They look extremely well preserved.

It’s the fault of those dumb Archaeologist, you can’t trust them once they’ve been snorting coke then staggered 8 km before collapsing. Don’t you lot think that sophisticated aging techniques have been used to determine their age? Age of relicts are one of the most important details to ascertain.

I just remarked on their state of preservation. I cast no Aspergers.

Bubblecar said:

PermeateFree said:

Bubblecar said:

They look extremely well preserved.

It’s the fault of those dumb Archaeologist, you can’t trust them once they’ve been snorting coke then staggered 8 km before collapsing. Don’t you lot think that sophisticated aging techniques have been used to determine their age? Age of relicts are one of the most important details to ascertain.

I just remarked on their state of preservation. I cast no Aspergers.

Re your snide insinuation above. I have been so constantly attacked vary various people here for a very long time. I have had myself, my posts trashed and demeaned so I tend to react strongly and take no prisoners in my defence. Had I not I would have been ground to dust long ago. Some here would do well to look into a mirror at times because your hypocrisy can be overbearing.

PermeateFree said:

Bubblecar said:

PermeateFree said:

It’s the fault of those dumb Archaeologist, you can’t trust them once they’ve been snorting coke then staggered 8 km before collapsing. Don’t you lot think that sophisticated aging techniques have been used to determine their age? Age of relicts are one of the most important details to ascertain.

I just remarked on their state of preservation. I cast no Aspergers.

Re your snide insinuation above. I have been so constantly attacked vary various people here for a very long time. I have had myself, my posts trashed and demeaned so I tend to react strongly and take no prisoners in my defence. Had I not I would have been ground to dust long ago. Some here would do well to look into a mirror at times because your hypocrisy can be overbearing.

Oh dear..

Witty Rejoinder said:

PermeateFree said:

Bubblecar said:

I just remarked on their state of preservation. I cast no Aspergers.

Re your snide insinuation above. I have been so constantly attacked vary various people here for a very long time. I have had myself, my posts trashed and demeaned so I tend to react strongly and take no prisoners in my defence. Had I not I would have been ground to dust long ago. Some here would do well to look into a mirror at times because your hypocrisy can be overbearing.

Oh dear..

Oh dear indeed.

Witty Rejoinder said:

PermeateFree said:

Bubblecar said:

I just remarked on their state of preservation. I cast no Aspergers.

Re your snide insinuation above. I have been so constantly attacked vary various people here for a very long time. I have had myself, my posts trashed and demeaned so I tend to react strongly and take no prisoners in my defence. Had I not I would have been ground to dust long ago. Some here would do well to look into a mirror at times because your hypocrisy can be overbearing.

Oh dear..

I’m confused.
PF are you an archaeologist and/or do you suffer from Asperger’s.
Not having a dig. just would like to know.

Bubblecar said:

PermeateFree said:

Bubblecar said:

They look extremely well preserved.

It’s the fault of those dumb Archaeologist, you can’t trust them once they’ve been snorting coke then staggered 8 km before collapsing. Don’t you lot think that sophisticated aging techniques have been used to determine their age? Age of relicts are one of the most important details to ascertain.

I just remarked on their state of preservation. I cast no Aspergers.

same here.

Tamb said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

PermeateFree said:

Re your snide insinuation above. I have been so constantly attacked vary various people here for a very long time. I have had myself, my posts trashed and demeaned so I tend to react strongly and take no prisoners in my defence. Had I not I would have been ground to dust long ago. Some here would do well to look into a mirror at times because your hypocrisy can be overbearing.

Oh dear..

I’m confused.
PF are you an archaeologist and/or do you suffer from Asperger’s.
Not having a dig. just would like to know.

No, he just doesn’t like people responding to his posts with their own thoughts…

Tamb said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

PermeateFree said:

Re your snide insinuation above. I have been so constantly attacked vary various people here for a very long time. I have had myself, my posts trashed and demeaned so I tend to react strongly and take no prisoners in my defence. Had I not I would have been ground to dust long ago. Some here would do well to look into a mirror at times because your hypocrisy can be overbearing.

Oh dear..

I’m confused.
PF are you an archaeologist and/or do you suffer from Asperger’s.
Not having a dig. just would like to know.

No to both.

Tamb said:

I’m confused.
…are you an archaeologist …
Not having a dig.

Very droll.

;-)

furious said:

Tamb said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

Oh dear..

I’m confused.
PF are you an archaeologist and/or do you suffer from Asperger’s.
Not having a dig. just would like to know.

No, he just doesn’t like people responding to his posts with their own thoughts…

He gets off on trashing his own threads.

furious said:

Tamb said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

Oh dear..

I’m confused.
PF are you an archaeologist and/or do you suffer from Asperger’s.
Not having a dig. just would like to know.

No, he just doesn’t like people responding to his posts with their own thoughts…

O I C

ChrispenEvan said:

Tamb said:

I’m confused.
…are you an archaeologist …
Not having a dig.

Very droll.

;-)

Thank you CE

furious said:

Tamb said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

Oh dear..

I’m confused.
PF are you an archaeologist and/or do you suffer from Asperger’s.
Not having a dig. just would like to know.

No, he just doesn’t like people responding to his posts with their own thoughts…

I don’t care and even welcome fair comment and criticism to my posts, but that is very seldom the case. Just demeaning snide remarks are the norm. Facts and science here tend to occupy a rather low position.

PermeateFree said:

Bubblecar said:

PermeateFree said:

It’s the fault of those dumb Archaeologist, you can’t trust them once they’ve been snorting coke then staggered 8 km before collapsing. Don’t you lot think that sophisticated aging techniques have been used to determine their age? Age of relicts are one of the most important details to ascertain.

I just remarked on their state of preservation. I cast no Aspergers.

Re your snide insinuation above. I have been so constantly attacked vary various people here for a very long time. I have had myself, my posts trashed and demeaned so I tend to react strongly and take no prisoners in my defence. Had I not I would have been ground to dust long ago. Some here would do well to look into a mirror at times because your hypocrisy can be overbearing.

No insinuations. I made a harmless remark about their apparent state of preservation.

Bubblecar said:

PermeateFree said:

Bubblecar said:

I just remarked on their state of preservation. I cast no Aspergers.

Re your snide insinuation above. I have been so constantly attacked vary various people here for a very long time. I have had myself, my posts trashed and demeaned so I tend to react strongly and take no prisoners in my defence. Had I not I would have been ground to dust long ago. Some here would do well to look into a mirror at times because your hypocrisy can be overbearing.

No insinuations. I made a harmless remark about their apparent state of preservation.

and I was in agreement that they did look well preserved.

Bubblecar said:

PermeateFree said:

Bubblecar said:

I just remarked on their state of preservation. I cast no Aspergers.

Re your snide insinuation above. I have been so constantly attacked vary various people here for a very long time. I have had myself, my posts trashed and demeaned so I tend to react strongly and take no prisoners in my defence. Had I not I would have been ground to dust long ago. Some here would do well to look into a mirror at times because your hypocrisy can be overbearing.

No insinuations. I made a harmless remark about their apparent state of preservation.

That’s how I understood it.

Bubblecar said:

PermeateFree said:

Bubblecar said:

I just remarked on their state of preservation. I cast no Aspergers.

Re your snide insinuation above. I have been so constantly attacked vary various people here for a very long time. I have had myself, my posts trashed and demeaned so I tend to react strongly and take no prisoners in my defence. Had I not I would have been ground to dust long ago. Some here would do well to look into a mirror at times because your hypocrisy can be overbearing.

No insinuations. I made a harmless remark about their apparent state of preservation.

I refer to your “I cast no Aspergers.” remark.

As I have been cast in a number of detrimental roles by certain people here that act behind the scenes, I tend to get a little touchy about such things.

I wonder if they were touched up over the centuries by subsequent peoples

PermeateFree said:

Bubblecar said:

PermeateFree said:

Re your snide insinuation above. I have been so constantly attacked vary various people here for a very long time. I have had myself, my posts trashed and demeaned so I tend to react strongly and take no prisoners in my defence. Had I not I would have been ground to dust long ago. Some here would do well to look into a mirror at times because your hypocrisy can be overbearing.

No insinuations. I made a harmless remark about their apparent state of preservation.

I refer to your “I cast no Aspergers.” remark.

As I have been cast in a number of detrimental roles by certain people here that act behind the scenes, I tend to get a little touchy about such things.

It was just a play on words, not directed at you or anyone.

Cymek said:

I wonder if they were touched up over the centuries by subsequent peoples

the ones in the pic don’t look like it. too clear and you would expect any touch-ups to “go over the lines” a bit.

Is ochre particularly special in regards to long term colour preservation or even just being visible thousands of years later.
It seems to be made up of hematite which is an interesting material, it does mention The principal use of ochre is for tinting with a permanent color.
So perhaps permanent really is long term

“The first episode of the new series airs on England’s Channel 4 on December 5.”

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/colombian-amazon-ice-age-rock-paintings-1927407

Seems to be an ad for a new series.

I agree that the preservation appears remarkable, especially for stuff of that age. It does appear to be partly exposed to the elements, not deep with in a cave system like Altamira – which I visited in 1965. Perhaps they had a special non-decaying, ochre binder in that region. The sap of a plant or something.