Top Ten Ancient Geoglyphs from Around the World
Geoglyphs are generally a type of land art, and sometimes rock art. A hill figure is created on a slope, so that it can be seen from a distance, sometimes only from the air.
Probably the most well known of the bunch. Created at around 500 B.C., this geoglyph depicts different species of plants, a humming bird, a spider, a lizard, a monkey, a dog, a heron (crane like bird) and a human. Besides the images, there's also long straight lines running all through the landscape. The image was created by digging a swallow incision in the desert floor, removing rocks and dirt and replacing it with a different color dirt. This Geoglyph is huge. The whole image is about 19 square miles. Many say the lines resemble a modern day airport.
Also known as "The Badlands Guardian". Believed to have been created between 900 B.C. - 1500 A.D. although some believe it's a natural formation (LOL. No way. Way too detailed in my opinion. Of course, I could be wrong.) A huge (much larger then Mt. Rushmore) figure that depicts a very detailed image of a human head in full indigenous headdress. Personally, I would have this at number 1 but decided to start it at 2 due to the debate whether if it's man made or a natural formation.
Made from crushed white chalk made somewhere between 1000 B.C. - 100 A.D. Depicts a large white horse. The figure is 110m long.
Also made from crushed chalk. A large nude male, with an erection for some reason, wielding a huge club. No one is quite sure of its date of origin but most agree it's most likely ancient. The figure is 55m.
Estimated to be created at around 200 B.C. The figure is 181m tall. Speculated to be a Masonic symbol. This geoglyph is on a hill facing the sea and can be seen up to 12 miles out by boaters.
The figure length is 119m. and believed to have been created somewhere between 1000 A.D - 1400 A.D. Most researchers believe the figure was an astronomical calendar used to track the moon cycle for their crop planting/harvesting.
411m long, 20 - 25 feet wide and anywhere between 1 - 4 feet tall. Created by clay and ash reinforced with layers of rocks and covered in soil. Believed to have been created at around 800 B.C. - 100 A.D. It is the largest known serpent effigy in the world.
Created for an unknown reason in the desert of California. The figures include 3 human figures, two four-legged animals and a spiral. The largest image is a human figure that is 52m long. Estimated to be created at around 900 B.C.
Note: The spiral seems to be of important significance to our ancient ancestors.
A number of images created in northern Kazakhstan. Over 260 earthworks of geometric shapes and patterns. Dates to around 800 B.C., but some date it as far back as 6000 B.C.
Pretty recently discovered (starting from 1977) from the deforestation of the rainforest. Consists of geometric shapes and patterns throughout the area.