Atacama Giant

Chile / Tarapaca / Iquique /
 interesting place, geoglyph
The Chilean glyphs in the Atacama Desert were built between 600 and 1500 CE. The Atacama glyphs had symbolic and ritual purposes, and scholars believe the Atacama glyphs additionally had a vital role in the transportation network connecting the great South American civilizations.

Built and refined by several South American cultures—likely including Tiwanaku and Inca, as well as less-advanced groups—the widely varied geoglyphs are in geometric, animal and human forms, and in about fifty different types. Using artifacts and stylistic characteristics, archaeologists believe the earliest were first constructed during the Middle Period, beginning around 800 AD. The most recent may be associated with early Christian rites in the 16th century. Some geoglyphs are found in isolation, some are in panels of up to 50 figures. They are found on hillsides, pampas, and valley floors throughout the Atacama Desert; but they are always found near ancient pre-Hispanic trackways marking llama caravan routes through the difficult regions of the desert connecting the ancient people of South America.

www.wikimapia.org/1495787/Badlands_Guardian
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atacama_Giant
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   19°56'56"S   69°38'1"W

Comments

  • cool
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  • I found this place after a 2 hours search in Wikimapia. Thanks to Capcher for creating this mark.