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Largest cave art in North America found

Stephen Alvarez, a study co-author, in the glyph chamber.
Stephen Alvarez, a study co-author, in the glyph chamber. Photo: A. Cressler

Archaeologists found ancient mud glyphs on the roof of a limestone cave in an undisclosed part of Alabama. The glyphs included human-like figures and may have been made across centuries, with evidence in the chamber pointing to the first few centuries CE as well as the 7th-10th centuries CE.

An anthropomorphic figure in regalia, with a square head and single leg.
An anthropomorphic figure in regalia, with a square head and single leg. Graphic: Photograph by S. Alvarez; illustration by J. Simek.