Blythe Intaglios – Nazca Lines in California
Across the arid landscapes of the American Southwest, etched into the very fabric of the earth, lie enigmatic figures known as intaglios, or geoglyphs. These colossal artworks, often depicting human or animal forms, bear a striking resemblance to the more widely recognized Nazca Lines of Peru. While the Nazca Lines hold global renown, the Colorado Desert of the American Southwest harbors over 200 of these remarkable geoglyphs, representing the only known examples of desert intaglios in North America. Among these, the Blythe Intaglios stand out as a particularly compelling example, sparking curiosity and debate about their origins, purpose, and the ancient cultures that created them.
These monumental earth drawings, easily missed from ground level, command attention from the air, revealing their intricate details and impressive scale. The best-known concentration of these figures resides on two low mesas situated west of the mighty Colorado River, approximately 15 miles north of Blythe, California. This location, steeped in history and shrouded in mystery, continues to draw researchers, historians, and curious travelers alike, all eager to unravel the secrets held within the Blythe Intaglios.
The question of authorship and age remains a central point of contention surrounding the Blythe Intaglios. The scientific community has yet to reach a consensus, with theories ranging from a few hundred to potentially ten thousand years old. Radiocarbon dating of materials associated with the figures has yielded a broad range, spanning from 900 BCE to 1200 CE, further complicating the timeline. This ambiguity has fueled speculation and diverse interpretations regarding the creators and their motivations.
One prominent theory attributes the creation of the Blythe Intaglios to the Mohave and Quechan Indians, suggesting they were crafted sometime between 450 and 2,000 years ago. According to this perspective, the figures may represent Mastamho, a central figure in their cosmology, believed to be the creator of life. This interpretation connects the geoglyphs to the spiritual beliefs and cultural narratives of the indigenous peoples who inhabited the region.
Alternative interpretations propose that the figures depict powerful individuals within Indian clans, serving as symbolic representations of leadership or status. Other theories suggest the Blythe Intaglios portray humans interacting with their natural surroundings, offering a glimpse into the daily lives and relationship with the environment of the people who created them. The proximity of many human figures to animal depictions lends credence to this notion, implying a connection between humans and the animal kingdom.
One of the intriguing puzzles associated with the Blythe Intaglios involves the animal figures, some of which bear a resemblance to horses. This presents a dating conundrum, as American horses are believed to have become extinct in North America roughly 10,000 years ago. If the figures indeed represent horses, they would either predate this extinction event or have been created after the reintroduction of horses by the Spanish in 1540.
Another hypothesis posits that some modern horses may have existed in North America prior to the arrival of the Spanish, but were primarily regarded as a food source rather than as domesticated animals. This theory attempts to reconcile the presence of horse-like figures with the known history of horses in the Americas. However, the precise age of the Blythe Intaglios remains elusive, hindering definitive conclusions.
The Blythe Intaglios, dispersed across three distinct locations, showcase a variety of forms and patterns. Among them are three abstract human shapes, two four-legged animals resembling horses, a spiral figure interpreted as a coiled serpent, an assortment of geometric lines, and a circular area known as a dance ring, measuring an impressive 140 feet in diameter. The scale of these figures is remarkable, with the largest human figure stretching 171 feet in length and the smallest measuring 95 feet. Their immense size underscores the importance of aerial perspective in fully appreciating their grandeur and complexity.
The creation of these geoglyphs involved a meticulous process of manipulating the desert landscape. The artists carefully scraped away the top layers of darker rocks or pebbles, revealing the lighter soil beneath. This contrast in color created the outlines of the figures, effectively "drawing" them onto the desert floor. The displaced rocks were used to further define the shapes, and the exposed soil was stamped down to inhibit plant growth within the lines, ensuring the longevity of the designs.
While these gravel pictographs are scattered throughout the deserts of southeastern California, the human figures are primarily concentrated near the Colorado River. Other intaglios depict a diverse array of subjects, including mountain lions, birds, snakes, unidentified animal-like forms, and various geometric shapes. The sheer size of these figures meant that they remained largely unnoticed by non-indigenous people until the 1930s, highlighting the importance of aerial observation in their discovery.
In 1932, George Palmer, a pilot flying a route between Las Vegas, Nevada, and Blythe, California, made the groundbreaking discovery of the Blythe Intaglios. His observation sparked interest in the area and prompted a survey conducted by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California. This investigation brought the intaglios to the attention of the wider world and initiated efforts to understand and protect these unique cultural treasures.
The increased attention surrounding the Blythe Intaglios led to further searches and the discovery of additional desert intaglios in the region. Recognizing their significance, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) erected fences in 1974 to protect the sites from damage and vandalism. In 1982, the Blythe Intaglios were formally recognized for their historical and cultural value by being placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Similar intaglios, collectively known as the Ripley Group, have also been found nearby in Arizona, across the Colorado River from Ripley, California. These discoveries further demonstrate the prevalence of this artistic tradition in the region and highlight the interconnectedness of the ancient cultures that inhabited the area.
Not far from Blythe, at a related site near Parker, Arizona, another collection of intaglios exhibits a similar abstract style. One particularly striking example is a serpent glyph near Parker, complete with eyes and rattles, stretching nearly 150 feet across the desert floor. This figure provides further evidence of the symbolic and artistic complexity of these ancient earthworks.
The similarities between the desert figures in California and Arizona and the Nazca Lines in Peru are undeniable. Both cover vast areas, incorporate animal figures, and were created using a similar technique of removing the top layer of rocks to reveal the underlying soil. These parallels suggest a possible connection or shared influence between these geographically distant cultures, raising questions about the transmission of knowledge and artistic ideas across ancient civilizations.
A common characteristic of the humanoid figures found at nearly 60 sites is the presence of a deeply entrenched torso, while the limbs are often etched more shallowly into the surface. In many cases, the head and/or one or more arms of the figure are either incomplete or entirely absent. This stylistic consistency suggests a deliberate artistic choice or a specific symbolic meaning associated with the representation of the human form.
The primary location of the Blythe Intaglios is situated approximately 15.5 miles north of Blythe, California, accessible from Highway 95 at the Interstate 10 exit. Visitors will find a small stone cairn on the right side of the road, marking the general area. A fenced dirt road on the left leads a quarter of a mile west to the intaglios themselves. A historical marker commemorates the site, providing information and context for those who come to witness these remarkable remnants of the past. The Blythe Intaglios stand as a testament to the ingenuity, artistry, and cultural richness of the ancient peoples who once called this desert landscape home.