Six-hundred-year-old stone carvings have been revealed on a beach in Oahu, Hawaii. The petroglyphs include human figures and abstract symbols carved into rock by ancient Hawaiians. Although discovered in 2016, these carvings are usually covered by sand and are now fully visible for the first time in seven years. Of the 26 carvings, 18 represent human stick figures, with sizes ranging from 15cm to over 2m. Dating these carvings is challenging, but they could be around 600 years old based on nearby archaeological sites. Their functions remain unclear but varied.
"Seasonal changes in tide and wave energy have shifted the sands along the beach and fully exposed these petroglyphs. This is the first time since 2016 that the entire panel has been visible."
"Of the 26 carvings, 18 appear to represent humans etched as stick figures, while others take more abstract forms. They are spread across a 35m-long sandstone panel stretching along the beach at Pililaau Army Recreation Center."
"The ones with the fingers, for me, are pretty unique. I believe there are some elsewhere with fingers, but fingers and hands are pretty distinct, as well as the size of them. It's pretty impressive."
"While it is difficult to pin down an exact date, these could potentially be upwards of 600 years old, based on nearby sites."
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