Old Glyphs In The Desert...!

Here is a little mystery fairly close to home. It's always fun to try and figure out why these types of drawings and carvings were made.

Sometimes it seems like the more we discover, the less we actually know. Sorta the old "one step forward, two steps back" thing, ya know?

The Blythe Geoglyphs

Photo credit: Ron Gilbert

The Blythe Intaglios are a collection of dozens of geoglyphs found in the Colorado Desert near Blythe, California. They show various representations of animals, geometric shapes, and giant humans, the largest depicting a 50-meter (170 ft) man. The true scope of the geoglyphs was unknown until 1932, when it was viewed from the air.

Based on their location, they were likely constructed by the Quechan or Mojave Indians. The etchings are supposed to represent important figures from these respective cultures. Two, for instance, are thought to represent Mastamho and Kataar, two creator deities found in Mojave culture.

But we still know remarkably little about the carvings for certain. They could have been made as long as 10,000 years ago or as recently as 450 years ago.

You just have to wonder who actually made them and why. Another one of those mysteries that we may never know the answer to, I reckon!

Coffee out on the patio this morning. It's gonna be another hot one!