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<p>Researchers have found unusual carvings on Peruvian rocks that might have been created by ancient humans who here high. The carvings are located in Toro Muertoin a Peruvian desert valley dubbed as the Majes River Valley. The valley is home to over 2,500 volcanic boulders which are carved with ancient inscriptions.</p>

<p>These inscriptions or petroglyphs might have been carved by&nbsp;hallucinating ancient artists according to the research published in the&nbsp;Cambridge Archaeological Journal.</p>

<p>The archaeologists from Poland's Adam Mickiewicz University and the University of Warsaw who conducted the study found a characteristic feature in the Toro Muertoin's petroglyph iconography that is human figures engaged in dance, referred to as&nbsp;danzantes,&nbsp;often&nbsp;accompanied by geometric patterns, predominantly variations of zigzag lines.</p>

<p><strong>The researchers have multiple theories for what these lines could represent:</strong></p>

<h2><strong>Songs or wild dancing</strong></h2>

<p>"We suggest that zigzag lines could be representations of songs, which seems particularly intriguing given the repeated juxtaposition of these patterns with the figures of dancers at Toro Muerto, not only in the more complex compositions (Figs 4–8) but also in the less complex as well," the paper read.</p>

<h2><strong>Visual metaphors for passage to the afterlife</strong></h2>

<p>It is also speculated that some complex arrangements of danzantes and linear geometric patterns might serve as visual representations of transitioning to the afterlife.</p>

<p>"Our interpretation suggests that the banded structures of geometric patterns could be representations of the cosmos—its spheres and events connected to its creation and its exploration, which could have come about during ritual ceremonies of which dance and song were the quintessence," researchers said. "The associations of danzantes with banded structures of patterns might embody visualization of being in this parallel world, emphasizing its authenticity and invariability," they added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/trending/mythology-meets-astronomy-ancient-egyptians-believed-milky-way-galaxy-was-a-celestial-goddess-claims-study-710464" hreflang="en">Mythology meets Astronomy: Ancient Egyptians believed Milky Way galaxy was a celestial goddess, claims study</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Influence of hallucinogenic plants</strong></h2>

<p>They further suggest that the carvings and patterns around the dancing folks are to convey experiencing music while under the influence of some type of psychedelic. The authors believe that these engravings were created while under the influence of hallucinogenic plants.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The scene on boulder TM 1219 indeed presents surprising similarities to the Tukano drawings, in terms not only of individual motifs but also their arrangement," the researchers said.</p>

<p>Earlier research has shown that many of these carvings were carved&nbsp;during rituals by people under the influence of ayahuasca, a beverage prepared from psychotropic vines. The carvings in Toro MuertoinGiven are similar to those in the earlier research leading to the belief that they were created by people on hallucinogenic herbs.</p>


Researchers have found unusual carvings on Peruvian rocks that might have been created by ancient humans who here high. The carvings are located in Toro Muertoin a Peruvian desert valley dubbed as the Majes River Valley.

Researchers have found unusual carvings on Peruvian rocks that might have been created by ancient humans who here high. The carvings are located in Toro Muertoin a Peruvian desert valley dubbed as the Majes River Valley. The valley is home to over 2,500 volcanic boulders which are carved with ancient inscriptions. These inscriptions or petroglyphs might have been carved by hallucinating ancient artists according to the research published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal. The archaeologists from Poland's Adam Mickiewicz University and the University of Warsaw who conducted the study found a characteristic feature in the Toro Muertoin's petroglyph iconography that is human figures engaged in dance, referred to as danzantes, often accompanied by geometric patterns, predominantly variations of zigzag lines. The researchers have multiple theories for what these lines could represent: Songs or wild dancing "We suggest that zigzag lines could be representations of songs, which seems particularly intriguing given the repeated juxtaposition of these patterns with the figures of dancers at Toro Muerto, not only in the more complex compositions (Figs 4–8) but also in the less complex as well," the paper read. Visual metaphors for passage to the afterlife It is also speculated that some complex arrangements of danzantes and linear geometric patterns might serve as visual representations of transitioning to the afterlife. "Our interpretation suggests that the banded structures of geometric patterns could be representations of the cosmos—its spheres and events connected to its creation and its exploration, which could have come about during ritual ceremonies of which dance and song were the quintessence," researchers said. "The associations of danzantes with banded structures of patterns might embody visualization of being in this parallel world, emphasizing its authenticity and invariability," they added. Also read: Mythology meets Astronomy: Ancient Egyptians believed Milky Way galaxy was a celestial goddess, claims study Influence of hallucinogenic plants They further suggest that the carvings and patterns around the dancing folks are to convey experiencing music while under the influence of some type of psychedelic. The authors believe that these engravings were created while under the influence of hallucinogenic plants. "The scene on boulder TM 1219 indeed presents surprising similarities to the Tukano drawings, in terms not only of individual motifs but also their arrangement," the researchers said. Earlier research has shown that many of these carvings were carved during rituals by people under the influence of ayahuasca, a beverage prepared from psychotropic vines. The carvings in Toro MuertoinGiven are similar to those in the earlier research leading to the belief that they were created by people on hallucinogenic herbs.

Dancing in trance: Ancient humans possibly danced under hallucinogenic influence, archaeologists suggest

<p>An elegant white marble head, purportedly from the Augustan era&nbsp;has been discovered in the Italian capital of Rome.&nbsp;Mayor Roberto Gualtieri took to social media to inform about the ancient relic which is now being restored.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“#Roma continues to return precious evidence of its past: a splendid intact marble head was found during the works in Piazza Augusto Imperatore attended by the @Sovrintendenza," tweeted&nbsp;Gualtieri while posting a picture of the mud-covered head.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Roma?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Roma</a> continua a restituire preziose testimonianze del suo passato: una splendida testa in marmo integra è stata ritrovata durante i lavori a Piazza Augusto Imperatore curati dalla <a href="https://twitter.com/Sovrintendenza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sovrintendenza</a>. Archeologi e restauratori sono impegnati nella pulitura e nello studio del reperto <a href="https://t.co/9EAYIj4pRb">pic.twitter.com/9EAYIj4pRb</a></p>
— Roberto Gualtieri (@gualtierieurope) <a href="https://twitter.com/gualtierieurope/status/1676926327398580230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Marble head, part of a female divinity: Experts</strong></h2>

<p>According to experts, the marble piece is believed to be part of a statue of a female divinity, perhaps Aphrodite due to its&nbsp;natural dimensions. The head is carved in Greek marble and displays elegant workmanship. The hair on the marble head is seemingly gathered at the back thanks to a "taenia", a ribbon knotted on the top of the head.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the Sovrintendenza Capitolina (Capitoline Superintendence), responsible for managing, maintaining and enhancing the capital's&nbsp;historic and archaeological heritage, the marble head was&nbsp;discovered during the redevelopment work of the "Mausoleum of Augustus and Piazza Augusto Imperatore" on the eastern side.</p>

<p>The Mausoleum of Augustus is a tomb built by&nbsp;Roman Emperor Augustus in 28 BC following his victory at the Battle of Actium. The structure is circular in plan and measures 90 metres in diameter by 42 metres in height, originally capped by a conical roof with a huge bronze statue of Augustus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The find was found in the foundation of a late antique wall but is preserved intact; reused as building material it lay face down, protected by a clay bank on which the foundation of the wall rests," read a statement released.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/miniature-pompeii-ancient-roman-building-found-in-abandoned-cinema-hall-in-italy-391660"><strong>Also read | 'Miniature Pompeii': Ancient Roman building found in abandoned cinema hall in Italy</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Reusing sculptures - an old tradition&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The workers found the head lying face down and protected by a clay bank on which the foundation of the wall rests.</p>

<p>Notably, reusing the sculptures, even of significant value was a common practice in the late Middle Ages which allowed, as in this case, "the successful preservation of important works of art".</p>

<p>"The head is currently entrusted to restorers for cleaning, and to archaeologists for correct identification and an initial dating proposal, which appears to be anchored in the Augustan era,” concluded the Superintendent.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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An elegant white marble head, purportedly from the Augustan era has been discovered in the Italian capital of Rome. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri took to social media to inform about the ancient relic which is now being restored.

An elegant white marble head, purportedly from the Augustan era has been discovered in the Italian capital of Rome. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri took to social media to inform about the ancient relic which is now being restored. “#Roma continues to return precious evidence of its past: a splendid intact marble head was found during the works in Piazza Augusto Imperatore attended by the @Sovrintendenza," tweeted Gualtieri while posting a picture of the mud-covered head. #Roma continua a restituire preziose testimonianze del suo passato: una splendida testa in marmo integra è stata ritrovata durante i lavori a Piazza Augusto Imperatore curati dalla @Sovrintendenza. Archeologi e restauratori sono impegnati nella pulitura e nello studio del reperto pic.twitter.com/9EAYIj4pRb — Roberto Gualtieri (@gualtierieurope) July 6, 2023 × Marble head, part of a female divinity: Experts According to experts, the marble piece is believed to be part of a statue of a female divinity, perhaps Aphrodite due to its natural dimensions. The head is carved in Greek marble and displays elegant workmanship. The hair on the marble head is seemingly gathered at the back thanks to a "taenia", a ribbon knotted on the top of the head. According to the Sovrintendenza Capitolina (Capitoline Superintendence), responsible for managing, maintaining and enhancing the capital's historic and archaeological heritage, the marble head was discovered during the redevelopment work of the "Mausoleum of Augustus and Piazza Augusto Imperatore" on the eastern side. The Mausoleum of Augustus is a tomb built by Roman Emperor Augustus in 28 BC following his victory at the Battle of Actium. The structure is circular in plan and measures 90 metres in diameter by 42 metres in height, originally capped by a conical roof with a huge bronze statue of Augustus. "The find was found in the foundation of a late antique wall but is preserved intact; reused as building material it lay face down, protected by a clay bank on which the foundation of the wall rests," read a statement released. Also read | 'Miniature Pompeii': Ancient Roman building found in abandoned cinema hall in Italy Reusing sculptures - an old tradition The workers found the head lying face down and protected by a clay bank on which the foundation of the wall rests. Notably, reusing the sculptures, even of significant value was a common practice in the late Middle Ages which allowed, as in this case, "the successful preservation of important works of art". "The head is currently entrusted to restorers for cleaning, and to archaeologists for correct identification and an initial dating proposal, which appears to be anchored in the Augustan era,” concluded the Superintendent. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Ancient white marble head, possibly of Aphrodite, unearthed in Italy's Rome

Egypt on Thursday (January 30) unveiled a new archaeological discovery in the southern governorate of Minya, including 16 communal tombs belonging to the high priests of god Djehuty and senior officials of the late period.

Egypt unveils 2,500-year-tombs of high priests in southern city