There were hundreds of ancient earthworks that look like the Stonehenge that were found in the Amazonian rainforest. Scientists have spotted them while they were flying drones around it.
There were more than 450 large geometrical geoglyphs, according to Brazilian and UK experts. They have also provided the evidence as to how the indigenous people have lived their lives before the Europeans have arrived. Science Daily has reported that it was surrounded by thousands of trees before so it wasn't clearly seen. However, after massive deforestation, the large geometrical geoglyphs are very obvious.
Scientists are saying that the first settlers of Western Brazil were these people. They have protected themselves by surrounding they place with trees. However, the real reason of the geoglyphs and its meaning are still a question to many. The geoglyphs were probably for occasions and functions of the people, said Jennifer Watling, post-doctoral researcher at the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography, University of São Paulo.
"It is likely that the geoglyphs were used for similar functions to the Neolithic causewayed enclosures, i.e. public gathering, ritual sites," Dr Watling added. Though it is a bit different, there is a high chance that they were used for the same things. According to Telegraph the research was led by Dr. Watling when she was studying for a PhD at the University of Exeter. Dr. Watling found it interesting that the format of the geoglyphs is the classic henge site. They have an outer ditch and inner wall enclosure. The first phases at Stonhenge have the same layed-out enclosure.
This discovery has also debunked the long theory that Amazon rainforest was untouched by humans. However, this fact should not justify the massive deforestation that is occurring in the Amazon rainforest, Dr Watling said. It should serve as a lesson that even though humans have lived in the area, they did not destroy the nature, she added.
