In the early days of humanity, during the Stone Age, our ancestors began the tradition of tying knots to record events. As civilization progressed, stone carvings, rock paintings, and reliefs became the most effective ways to pass down knowledge. In places where important rituals were held, a wealth of graphic information was left behind, providing direct insights for future generations.
Over the long years, ancient people used realistic or abstract artistic techniques to carve and paint symbols on rocks, capturing various aspects of their social life. The fossil altar we discovered in the Gourd Cave beneath the Insect Valley reveals the secret rituals of ancient people who worshipped mountain gods here.
The first thing that catches the eye is the best-preserved carving on the altar. While it’s considered well-preserved, much of the carving has become unclear after thousands of years of erosion. The stone carving features a technique of grinding, where the stone is first chiseled and then polished, resulting in deep, smooth grooves. Some areas even retain their original colors.