This figure etched into the soil east of the Big Maria Mountains looks like something straight out of an X-Files episode and has fascinated visitors since its discovery in the early 20th century.
The design, known as a geoglyph, is unique on the continent and is often compared to the legendary Nazca Lines in Peru.
Beyond its impressive size and quirky appearance, the most intriguing thing about it is that it can only be fully seen and appreciated from above, despite being created long before humans had any form of flight technology…
What are the Blythe intaglios?
The Blythe Intaglios are a series of massive geoglyphs etched into the desert floor, 16 miles north of Blythe, rediscovered in 1932 by pilot George Palmer during a routine flight. These figures were created by removing the darker surface stones to reveal the lighter soil beneath, a technique known as intaglio.
While the exact age of the Blythe Intaglios is uncertain, estimates suggest they date back between 450 and 10,000 years, according to PBS, which adds more to the already mysterious art. The identity of their creators is also unknown, but they are believed to have been made by Native American tribes, possibly the Mohave or Quechan, as the Bureau of Land Management explains.
What do the Blythe figures mean?
Three human-looking figures and two animals make up the Blythe Intaglios, but the most well known and eye-catching of them all, is the one of a “person” that stretches up to 171 feet. The figure is characterized by a deeply etched torso and limbs that are more shallowly incised, with some lacking heads or arms entirely.
According to the Bureau of Land Management, the human figures are thought to represent Mastamho, the Creator of all life, while the animal figures depict Hatakulya, one of two mountain lion-people who assisted in Creation. Still, the actual purpose of these geoglyphs remains a matter of ongoing debate. According to California Curated, some scholars think the figures were part of religious or celestial rituals, possibly marking lunar or solar events… Or maybe they were just a fun way to pass the time and show creativity.
Only time will tell…