Hundreds of Ancient Geoglyphs Discovered in Amazon Rainforest

Archaeologists have discovered 396 previously unknown geoglyphs - giant land drawings of ancient Indian civilization - in the Brazilian states of Acre and Amazonas. These geometric earth structures, carved into the ground with earth mounds and trenches, are thousands of years old and point to the existence of complex societies in the tropical forest before European arrival. The study, published in Nature, shows circles, squares, and other geometric figures under the forest canopy, with some formations dating back to between 600 BC and 850 AD. Researchers believe these structures were used for festivities, political occasions, ceremonies, dance, music, and competitions.