Fly past a 3D model of the Reserva panel with a short video tour, then scroll to discover its highlights in more detail.
Video tour of the Reserva Panel (2022-05-19) by Daniel Fiore, SEARCHUniversity of Exeter
Reserva rock art panel (2022-01-27) by Daniel Fiore, SEARCHUniversity of Exeter
The Reserva panel
This long stretch of rock art is the most inaccessible painted panel on the hillsides of Cerro Azul. It features many intriguing geometric shapes, together with some images of humans and animals.
Geometric shapes
As you explore the Reserva Panel, you will notice common geometric shapes and patterns. In Amazonian culture, such shapes often refer to patterns in the natural world and convey important messages left by the ancestors in mythical times.
Humans
This pair of humans is painted in an unusual style, typical of the Reserva panel. Their large hands and feet, and also their penises, are shown as radiating lines. The figures' energy is intense and they appear to be looking at each other.
Patterns
Patterns resembling spirals, scrolls and Greek frets curl around each other.
Other geometric shapes include parallel zigzags, lines of diamonds, and patterns resembling nets.
Human/plant hybrid
Plants play an important role in shamanism. Plant spirits serve as doctors or teachers for some Amazonian shamans, teaching them about herbal treatments through dreams and altered states caused by hallucinogens. This half-human, half-plant figure may refer to these practices.
Animals
Both animals and plants are represented on the Reserva Panel. The quadruped with the long trunk shown centrally here may be a tapir, positioned as if eating or drinking water. It is surrounded by stylised, almost diagrammatic plants.
Geometric patterns on the Reserva Panel (2022) by ERC LASTJOURNEY projectUniversity of Exeter
Geometrics and animals
Geometric patterns are commonly associated with animals. This section of the Reserva panel shows rectangular spirals, scrolls, parallel zig-zag lines, and an hourglass along with diverse human figures.
