Ancient Amazon Petroglyphs Revealed by Record Low Water Levels

Drought in the Brazilian Amazon has revealed millennia-old carvings along the banks of the Negro River. The petroglyphs, which depict human faces, animals, and other figures, are thought to be between 1,000 and 2,000 years old.

The Negro River, a major tributary that runs through the Brazilian Amazon, has reached historic lows, revealing millennia-old carvings previously hidden under water. The engravings deeply etched into the black rock along the riverbanks represent human faces, animals, and other figures and are thought to be 1,000 to 2,000 years old, archaeologists said.

A Glimpse into the Past

Jaime de Santana Oliveira, an archaeologist with Brazil's National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute, said, "They allow us to understand the way of life of prehistoric populations." The scientists think other rocks at the site were used to sharpen arrows and stone tools.

The Ponto das Lajes Archaeological Site

The Ponto das Lajes archaeological site is located in the rural area of Manaus, the largest city and capital of Amazonas state. From there, locals and tourists can observe the "Meeting of Waters," which occurs when the dark, Coca-Cola-colored Negro River and the pale, clay-colored Solimoes River converge without merging and run parallel to each other over several miles.

Drought Reveals Hidden Treasures

The petroglyphs first were spotted in 2010 when another bad drought struck the region but had not been observable since then before the current drought. Low river levels in Amazonas have turned once navigable rivers into endless sandbanks and mud, leaving hundreds of communities isolated. Public authorities have scrambled to get food and water to those communities in recent weeks.

Climate Phenomena and Environmental Concerns

Earlier this week, The Associated Press observed the delivery of basic goods. Boats had to dock miles away, forcing residents, most of them small farmers and fishermen, to walk long distances. Manaus and other nearby cities are experiencing high temperatures and heavy smoke from fires set for deforestation and pasture clearance. The drought is also the likely cause of dozens of river dolphin deaths in Tefe Lake, near the Amazon River.

Dry spells are part of the Amazon's cyclical weather pattern, usually from May to October. This season's drought has been fiercer than usual due to two climate phenomena: the warming of northern tropical Atlantic Ocean waters and El Niño—the warming of surface waters in the Equatorial Pacific region.

As the world grapples with climate change, the Amazon rainforest, and its delicate ecosystem face significant threats. The recurring droughts and rising temperatures not only impact the region's biodiversity but also the lives and livelihoods of the communities that depend on it.