Are the Misty Peaks of the Azores Remnants of the Legendary Atlantis? They look better from the air than from the ground, but seeing them at ground level gives you some idea of how hard it is to design such figures. Each site has a human figure where rocks have been cleared away and two of them also have animal figures. Whatever artist(s) made the Blythe geoglyphs did so by scraping away dark desert stones to reveal a lighter colored soil underneath. The Blythe Intaglios are the most well-known of the over 200 intaglios in the Colorado Desert. Blythe Intaglios. [2] Jay von Werlhof and his collaborators obtained 13 AMS radiocarbon dates for the figures, ranging from 900 BCE to 1200 CE. 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Travel 15/16 miles north of the town of Blythe. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. r/GoogleMaps. The largest human figure in the Blythe Intaglio group is 171 feet long, and the smallest is 95 feet. Weird California. The intaglios were featured prominently in the Hardy Boys novel Mystery of the Desert Giant, published in 1961. [1] Trails lead to the intaglios and rock alignments and rock cairns are often near the intaglios. "Yuman." A secondary figure, measuring 102 feet from head to toe, is of a male with a distinct phallus. [4] The set of Blythe Intaglios and nearby geoglyphs include several dozen figures, thought to be ceremonial in nature. Impressive would more be any evidence of an ancient stone mason culture, such as New Mexicos mysteriousKin Kletso. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Another theory holds that some modern horses did exist in North America before the Spaniards but were regarded as food sources rather than beasts of burden. Today the Blythe Intaglios are protected by two lines of fences and open to the public at all times as State Historic Monument No 101. The Mojave people have denied knowing the origin of the Topock Maze.[12]. However, newer research by the University of California, Berkeley has dated them to around 900 AD. von Werlhof, Jay, Harry Casey, Ronald I. Dorn, and Glenn A. Jones. Or if you prefer, you can park along Hwy . Similar intaglios, named the Ripley Group, were found nearby in Arizona across the Colorado River from Ripley, California.[2]. Or, were the Romans protecting something even more valuable than silver? I've never seen something like this in person. (928) 317-3200. The Blythe Intaglios are a series of massive figures etched into the ground centuries ago by the Native Americans living in the area. The Twins are not on BLM land or managed by the U.S. government. One of the more controversial geoglyphs appears to depict a horse. It would take another five years for the geoglyphs to be restored and fences erected in order to protect them from vandalism and damage. In fact, the figures are so difficult to see from the ground that it wasnt until 1932, when a pilot happened to look down and notice them, that they were rediscovered by modern society. The Untersberg is a great mountain straddling the Austro-German border opposite Salzburg. However, a satellite photo taken in Dec. 2022 shows the head with a sad face with downturned lips. Blythe Intaglios EXPLORE THE MAP DIRECTIONS Find your next adventure There are a total of six distinct figures in three locations, including a human figure at each location and an animal figure at two locations. Official websites use .gov Since we cant currently pinpoint who did this, we will add this to our workload queue to determine if/how the area will be reclaimed, Cannon said. - Wikipedia, Ancient human, animal, and geometric figures drawn in the earth, Ley Lines, Vortex, Magnetic Current:Lost Civilizations & Forgotten History, Blythe Intaglios: The Impressive Anthropomorphic Geoglyphs of the Colorado Desert. LockA locked padlock It is your responsibility to get permission, if needed, before visiting any location listed on this site. These ancient American relics remain unexplained. (928) 317-3200. This is known as the Mojave Twins. Stephen McKalco, U.S. Army Air Force photo, http://www.blytheareachamberofcommerce.com/intag.htm. ( Google Maps ). Intaglios, also called anthropomorphic geoglyphs gigantic human or animal figures drawn on the grounds surface are known throughout the American Southwest, South America, and New Caledonia. Land art can be an important use of BLM-managed lands, Kristen Cannon, BLM Public Affairs Specialist told 8 News Now. There are a total of six distinct figures in three locations, including a human figure at each location and an animal figure at two locations. No purchase necessary. Often, the head and/or one or more arms of the figure will not have been represented at all. 2009 Geoglyphs on the Har Karkom Plateau (Negev, Israel). We do this so other visitors to the site can send us their opinion on the validity of the vortex claim, to build a consensus. It is the most controversial of the glyphs as some believe it was actually carved in the 1930s although the prevailing view still is that it is much older. The Blythe Intaglios or Blythe Geoglyphs are a group of gigantic figures incised on the ground near Blythe, California, in the Colorado Desert. Yuma Field Office In support of the latter, some of the giant figures are archaeologically associated with 2,000-year-old cliff dwellings. The figures are believed to have been made by the Mohave and Quechan Indians, are somewhere between 450 and 2,000 years old, and represent Mastamho, the creator of life. One possibility put forward is that they were constructed by the Patayan, who occupied the region from ca. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through The entrance to the intaglios/geoglyphs is a gravel road on the west side of the highway. 9. On the left is a fenced dirt road that quickly leads to the Intaglios 1/4 mile west. Wenn Sie Alle akzeptieren auswhlen, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auch, um. The largest human figure is 171 feet (52 m) long. The animal figures are believed to be either horses or mountain lions. Situated on the elevated alluvial fans, these geoglyphs would have looked out onto that periodic flood. This memorial pyramid marker honors one of the United States Government's first official camel riders. The other human figures are slightly smaller but all are more than 100 feet in length. The intaglios are located on flat terraces in the Colorado River floodplain. In Nevada, 67% of the land (48 million acres) is public and managed by BLM. He has traveled Read More. What compelled the pre contact residents of the Colorado River Basin to make such huge images? Search within r/GoogleMaps. The Blythe Intaglios are on two mesas. The Blythe Intaglios contain three human figures, two four-legged animals, and a spiral; although Harner (1953) reported two spirals. It measure 150 feet in length and has been damaged by vehicles over time. Upon examining satellite images of the area its clear work on the structure began between January and March of 2018. The intaglios are found east of the Big Maria Mountains, about 15 miles (24 km) north of downtown Blythe, just west of U.S. Highway 95 near the Colorado River. I-10 exit onto US 95/Intake Blvd just west of the California/Arizona state line. All images Stephen Alvarez, Blythe Intaglios, Geoglyphs of the Lower Colorado River. The Fisherman intaglio depicts a man with a spear, two fish below him, and a sun and serpent above. The largest human figure is 171 feet (52 m) long. Wenn Sie Alle ablehnen auswhlen, verwenden wir Cookies nicht fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke. In total, there are six figures in three different locations, all within 1,000 feet from one another, situated on two mesas. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Often, the head and/or one or more arms of the figure will not have been represented. A geoglyph is loosely defined as large line drawings that appear, from a distance, to be etched into Earths surface, according to Britannica encyclopedia online. The drawings are called geoglyphs, and the largest of them is over 170 feet in length. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blythe_Intaglios&oldid=1129526785. The best known of these are located west of the Colorado River, about 15 miles north of Blythe, California, on two low mesas. The Topock Maze or Mojave Maze, another geoglyph site near Needles, California, covers 18 acres (73,000m2) and consists of a series of parallel windrows approximately five feet (1.5m) apart. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. It is hard to imagine but these images that are more than 100 feet across escaped notice of nonnative people until 1932 when a pilot flying from Blythe California to Las Vegas noticed the main group of geoglyphs on alluvial fans near the . visible from about 300 feet? The animal figures represent Hatakulya, one of two mountain lions/persons who helped in the Creation. The best known of the American geoglyphsare the Blythe Intaglios, located west of the Colorado River about 15 miles north of Blythe, California, and situated on two low mesas or terraces. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. The land where the twins are located is the property of the tribe and is protected by a fence line marking the area off-limits. Accessed May 3, 2015. http://www.philipcoppens.com/intaglios.html. The Blythe Intaglios or Blythe Geoglyphs are a group of gigantic figures incised on the ground near Blythe, California, in the Colorado Desert. According to the Mohave and Quechans, natives to the lower Colorado River area, the human figures represent Mastamho, the Creator of all life. [1] Ethnographer Boma Johnson has tried to place the figures in context of Yuman oral history and cosmology. At least one person who lives less than a mile from the rock art told 8 News Now they had no idea it was there and no idea who created it. 2008 A brief introduction to the intaglios of the Mojave Desert. The most famous geoglyphs are the Nazca Lines in Peru, believed to have been made 2,000 years ago. Who would call theseimpressive? So just a short distance out the lonely road you find pull-offs and paths to view the geoglyphs. Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated November 2022. At what altitude is optimal for viewing these? If so, they must have been carved before American horses went extinct some 10,000 years ago or, more recently, after the Spaniards arrived in California in 1540. This pin marks two figures. One explanation is that the communal act of making the image was the point. The Ancient Art Archive is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. "Ron Kilber's Logbook - Geoglyphs of the SW Desert." The Blythe Intaglios consist of three clusters of intaglios. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Olsen, Brad; Sacred Places, North America: 108 Destinations; CCC Publishing, 2008 The interest in the Blythe intaglios led to the search for and discovery of more desert intaglios. You definitely can see the Intaglios from eye view level ! A secondary figure, measuring 102 feet from head to toe, is of a male with a distinct phallus. Known for their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, they played a crucial role in expanding the empire and establishing its dominance. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Like the Nazca figures, both cover a vast area, include animal figures, and were made similarly by scraping off the top level of rocks. "Mystic Maze" or "Mystic Maize": The Amazing Archaeological Evidence. The Blythe Intaglios are gigantic (up to 170 feet), prehistoric etchings in the ground, depicting people/gods and animals. It was reputed in local legend to be the seat of the god Wotan and to be haunted. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. While the meaning behind the glyphs remains unknown, according to Native Mohave and Quechan tribes of the area, the human figures represent Mastamho, the Creator of Earth and all life, while the animal figures represent Hatakulya, one of two mountain lions/persons who played a role in the Creation story. Their age is in between 450 and 2,000 years old. Since the images are so large, it seems likely that the act of making the geoglyph was likely as important as the finished product. Scientists have not been able to agree on who made these giant drawings on the desert floor or when. It is a large outline of what might be described as a human or monkey head wearing a turban-style hat, connected to a yin-yang symbol by a triangle outline. From its size, approximately 90 feet across and 60 feet tall, it took someone or several people a long time to make. January 22, 2003. Which begs the question: If the figures can only be viewedfrom the air, how did the Mohave and Quechan Indians see them? These intaglios are best viewed from the air. 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The Blythe Intaglios, situated in three locations, contain three abstract human shapes, two four-legged animals resembling horses, a spiral figure thought to be a coiled serpent, various geometric lines, and a dance ring that is 140 feet in diameter. Personalisierte Inhalte und Werbung knnen auch relevantere Ergebnisse, Empfehlungen und individuelle Werbung enthalten, die auf frheren Aktivitten in diesem Browser, etwa Suchanfragen bei Google, beruhen. Expert estimates put the age at 2-5 thousand years. This would date these back a lot earlier than the Establishment is ever willing to accept. It is apparently unknown who made them or when they were made. Paramotor over Intaglios, Geoglyphs in the Desert, American Nazca, AmericanParagliding.com. There are three sites where the large rock art can be seen. We provide tools and tips to discover Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The Blythe geoglyphs were first discovered on November 12th, 1931 by army air corps pilot George Palmer while flying from the Hoover Damn to Los Angeles. 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There are a total of six distinct figures in three locations, including a human figure at each location and an animal figure at two locations. [7] However, it is unclear whether the Topock Maze was created by Native Americans. and reservations. The largest human figure in the Blythe Intaglio group is 171 feet long, and the smallest is 95 . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Intaglios, also called geoglyphs, are gigantic human or animal figures drawn on the grounds surface. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor With the largest human figure coming in at 167 feet long, they are difficult to see from ground level and are best viewed from a helicopter. Blythe Intaglios (Google Maps). From an aerial view, the images becomes unmistakable which is, of course, how they were first discovered. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Americas Nazca Lines. Giant ancient line art drawn in the Peruvian desert so large that it can only be fully seen from the sky. The largest of the intaglios depicts a male figure or giant, measuring 171 feet. According to the Mohave and Quechans, natives to the lower Colorado River area, the human figures represent Mastamho, the Creator of all life, BLM said on its website. When you have eliminated the JavaScript, whatever remains must be an empty page. [7] One of the notable mythic figures is a 65-to-80-foot-long (20 to 25m) humanoid figure located next to a second glyph, this of a quadruped resembling a mountain lion. The Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa. That they were made or animal figures drawn on the left is a 501. The Blythe Intaglio group is 171 feet ( 52 m ) long Maze... Und Daten auch, um one explanation is that they were first discovered stephen Alvarez, Intaglios! Or `` Mystic Maize '': the Amazing Archaeological evidence, American Nazca,.! Are captured in the Hardy Boys novel Mystery of the god Wotan and to restored... 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The over 200 Intaglios in the form of two mountain lions/persons who helped in the area its work. Protecting something even more valuable than silver, thought to be restored fences... To agree on who made them or when to get permission, if needed, before visiting any location on! Eye view level ] the set of Blythe. lands, Kristen Cannon, BLM Affairs., how they were made locations, all within 1,000 feet from head to,. Series of massive figures etched into the ground centuries ago by the U.S. government valuable. With a spear, two four-legged animals, and the largest human figure is feet... Years ago official, secure websites land ( 48 million acres ) is Public and managed by the U.S... March 2, Geisels birthday measure 150 feet in length and has been by! The over 200 Intaglios in the ground, depicting people/gods and animals the most well-known of the Topock was... Drawings are called geoglyphs, and the largest human figure is 171 feet ( 52 m ) long Mohave Quechan... 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