Deep within the Colombian Amazon, the Serranía de la Lindosa escarpment holds a breathtaking secret etched in stone: tens of thousands of ancient Rock Art paintings. These remarkable displays of indigenous rock art, investigated over six years by researchers from the University of Exeter, Universidad de Antioquia, and Universidad Nacional de Colombia, offer an unprecedented glimpse into the spiritual beliefs and rich history of the region’s earliest inhabitants. Dating back potentially over 11,000 years, this rock art provides invaluable insights into the cosmology and shamanic practices of past Amazonian cultures.
The sheer scale of this rock art site, stretching across 12 miles of sandstone cliffs in the Guaviare department of Colombia, is astounding. The vibrant red ochre paintings depict a diverse array of subjects, from human figures and animals to enigmatic mythological beings and intricate geometric patterns. To truly understand the profound significance of this rock art, the research team embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration with indigenous elders and ritual specialists from the Tukano, Desana, Matapí, Nukak, and Jiw communities. This partnership marked a pivotal moment in Amazonian rock art research, fully integrating the ancestral wisdom of indigenous communities into the interpretation of these sacred artworks.
Professor Jamie Hampson emphasized the importance of this collaborative approach, stating, “This incredible collaboration marks the first time that the views of Indigenous elders on their ancestors’ rock art have been fully incorporated into research in this part of the Amazon.” He further explained, “It enables us to understand that this is a sacred, ritualistic art, created within the framework of an animistic cosmology, in sacred places in the landscape.” The elders’ insights revealed that the rock art is not merely decorative; it is a powerful form of communication with the spirit world, deeply embedded in the animistic beliefs of these cultures.
A recurring motif within the rock art is therianthropic transformation – depictions of humans merging with or transforming into animals. Snakes, jaguars, and birds frequently appear in these transformative scenes. According to IFLScience, these images reflect a spiritual realm accessible to shamans. Through ritual practices, shamans could transcend the physical world, entering a liminal space where the boundaries between human and animal forms dissolved. Ulderico, a Matapí ritual specialist, explained the practical and spiritual function of this rock art, stating, “I tell you each one of these figures contributed the shamanic knowledge for our own management of the territory where we are…. When this knowledge comes out, it appears as a wardrobe, as a shamanic wardrobe, as a guide to be able to practice shamanism.”
Certain animals held particular importance in these shamanic transformations, especially creatures inhabiting and symbolizing liminal spaces. Anacondas, jaguars, bats, and herons were identified by the elders as key figures in the spiritual beliefs surrounding shamanistic practices. Mirage News highlights their role as mediators, bridging the gap between the human and spirit worlds. Victor Caycedo, a Desana elder, further emphasized the spiritual context of the rock art’s creation, questioning the practicalities of painting in such locations without modern tools and concluding that the ancient artists were able to achieve this through their profound spiritual connection to the landscape.
The Desana language itself offers further clues to the interconnectedness of the shamanic and animal realms. Science Alert points out that in Desana, the word “yee” signifies both “jaguar” and “shaman.” This linguistic link underscores the belief that shamans could embody the jaguar spirit when navigating the supernatural dimension, accessing the hidden knowledge and power of the animal world. Recognizing the immense cultural and historical value of this rock art, efforts are underway to ensure its long-term preservation. A diploma program has been established to promote sustainable cultural heritage tourism in the region, as reported by Mirage News. The indigenous elders have stressed the critical importance of safeguarding this rock art to maintain the vital connection between present-day indigenous communities and their ancestral heritage and traditions.
The ability to resume archaeological research in the Guaviare region followed the 2016 peace agreement in Colombia, allowing for the deeper exploration and understanding of sites like Serranía de la Lindosa. The findings of this significant study have been published in the academic journal Arts, contributing valuable knowledge to the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and the study of rock art worldwide. This ongoing research promises to further illuminate the mysteries and spiritual richness encapsulated within the ancient rock art of the Amazon.
