The first artistic record of a kiss by humanity may have been discovered in Brazil's Serra da Capivara National Park, according to the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), as reported by Correio Braziliense. Researchers believe that a rock painting located in the park, showing two people touching heads, could be one of the earliest representations of a kiss ever documented.
ICMBio announced on social media that this discovery stands alongside several other drawings engraved in caves throughout the park, which record the presence of prehistoric humans on the American continent.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
"The paintings not only depict everyday aspects, such as hunting and rituals, but also show affectionate and social interactions, such as records of sexual acts, kisses, and hugs," ICMBio stated.
Serra da Capivara National Park, located in the state of Piauí, Brazil, has the largest known number of rock paintings on the continent, with some dated up to 50,000 years ago. According to ICMBio, it currently houses "the largest concentration of known rock paintings in the Americas." The park is one of the largest and oldest archaeological sites in the Americas.
Housing about 35,000 rock drawings in more than 1,300 archaeological sites, the park offers an unparalleled glimpse into the lives of early humans. The vast collection of rock art was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1991.
"Made with natural pigments, such as iron oxides and charcoal, they have surprising durability thanks to the dry climate and the characteristics of the sandstone rocks," ICMBio explained. These natural materials, combined with the environmental conditions, have allowed the artwork to survive for tens of thousands of years.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.