A monumental discovery of prehistoric rock engravings along the Upper and Middle Orinoco River in Venezuela and Colombia has revealed what researchers believe to be the largest prehistoric rock art in the world.

Monumental snake engravings: Pintado, approximately 42m long. Credit: Riris, P. et al. Antiquity, (2024)

This research, conducted by an international team from Bournemouth University, University College London (UCL), and Universidad de los Andes, highlights the cultural and historical significance of these mᴀssive carvings, which include depictions of giant snakes, human figures, and Amazonian centipedes.

The engravings, found on rock faces along the Orinoco River, feature motifs that span tens of meters in length. The largest known engraving measures over 40 meters, making it the biggest single rock engraving ever recorded. The team’s efforts, which included working with local guides and employing drone pH๏τography, have led to the mapping of 14 monumental rock engraving sites—defined as those more than four meters wide or high.

Snake, bird and human motifs at Raudal Palomazón. Note size of the snake relative to other motifs. Credit: Riris, P. et al. Antiquity, (2024)

Many of the largest engravings depict snakes, believed to represent boa constrictors or anacondas. These creatures hold a significant place in the myths and beliefs of the Indigenous populations of the region. According to Dr. Phil Riris, Senior Lecturer in Archaeological Environmental Modelling at Bournemouth University and lead author of the study, “Anacondas and boas are ᴀssociated with the creator deity of some Indigenous groups in the region and are also seen as lethal beings that can kill people and large animals.”

Anthropomorphic mask motif (known as ‘the television’) at Raudal Mesetas. Credit: Riris, P. et al. Antiquity, (2024)

These engravings are thought to serve multiple purposes. Dr. Riris explains, “We believe the engravings could have been used by prehistoric groups to mark territory, letting people know that this is where they live and that appropriate behavior is expected. Snakes are generally interpreted as quite threatening, so where the rock art is located could be a signal that these are places where you need to mind your manners.”

The rock engravings are believed to date back up to 2,000 years, although their precise age remains difficult to determine. Similar motifs found on pottery in the area support this estimation. Since 2015, a research project initiated by Dr. José Oliver with the UCL Insтιтute of Archaeology has been focused on understanding the pre-Columbian occupation and history of the region. The project has produced a comprehensive database of over 100 rock art locations, featuring thousands of individual motifs.

Material culture parallels to Orinoco rock art: A) snake motif recorded in Cerro Palomazón (Colombia); B) a similar snake motif in appliqué with horned head and spiral tail (inset) on a Valloid vessel from a burial in Cueva Osario (Colombia); C) a widespread triangular head motif with spiral appendages from the Picure site; D) surface-collected Arauquinoid series sherd from the Rabo Cochino site (Venezuela). Credit: Riris, P. et al. Antiquity, (2024)

“The engravings are mainly concentrated along a stretch of the Orinoco River called the Atures Rapids. This would have been an important prehistoric trade and travel route,” Dr. Oliver said. “We think that they are meant to be seen specifically from the Orinoco because most travel at the time would have been on the river.”

In their publication in Antiquity, the research team emphasizes the crucial importance of safeguarding these monumental rock art sites for their preservation and ongoing exploration. Dr. Natalia Lozada Mendieta from Universidad de los Andes noted, “We’ve registered these sites with the Colombian and Venezuelan national heritage bodies as a matter of course, but some of the communities around it feel a very strong connection to the rock art. Moving forward, we believe they are likely to be the best custodians.”

Funding for this research was provided by the Leverhulme Trust, The Society of Antiquaries of London, Universidad de los Andes, the Fundación de Investigaciones Arqueológicas Nacionales (Colombia), and the British Academy.

More information: Riris, P., Oliver, J. R., & Lozada Mendieta, N. (2024). Monumental snake engravings of the Orinoco River. Antiquity, 98(399), 724–742. doi:10.15184/aqy.2024.55