Ancient Geoglyphs Of The Lower Colorado River Vulnerable To Destruction

BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 1: An aerial view of ancient geoglyphs, or intaglios, at the famous Blythe Intaglios site are seen badly marred by off-road tire tracks, as well as foot traffic around the fences that surround the larger figures on October 1, 2022 near Blythe, California. The site is within the Big Marias Area of Critical Concern, which contains the single greatest concentration of geoglyphs in North America and includes human-like anthropomorphs up to 170 feet long as well as animal-like zoomorph figures. Many of the regions 450 to 2,000 years old creations, which can only be viewed from above, have been destroyed by off-road vehicles and construction. A few hundred are known to still exist in the region. According to the local Mohave and Quechan people, human figures represent Mastamho, the Creator of all life, while animal figures represent Hatakulya, one of two mountain lions who helped in creation. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)