The Race to Protect Atacama's Ancient Geoglyphs
Ancient geoglyphs in Chile's Atacama Desert face threats from vehicles and mining, risking irreversible damage. Learn about the archaeological efforts to protect this historical site.
By María de los Ángeles Orfila
Oct 8, 2024 8:00 AMOct 8, 2024 8:50 AM
(Credit: Atacama Foundation) Tire tracks driving over Alto Barranco geoglyphs.
On the arid and seemingly sterile surface of the Atacama Desert lies an invaluable treasure of history and culture: thousands of ancient geoglyphs etched on the slopes of the hills, silent witnesses to the caravan routes of pre-Hispanic peoples.
Gonzalo Pimentel, archaeologist and president of the Atacama Foundation, describes them as accurate maps leading to the Pacific Ocean and records of memories, habits, and customs. Colossal human figures, llamas, birds, and enigmatic geometric shapes have reflected the Andean worldview for over 3,000 years.
However, this invaluable heritage — which has yet to be fully explored — is under constant threat. Among the main culprits are formal and informal rallies, as well as mining activities. The passage of vehicles leaves marks that alter the original designs, rendering them unrecognizable and, in some cases, irreparable.
Pimentel believes this is the case with the geoglyphs at Alto Barranco, which are over a thousand years old and located south of Iquique in the Tarapacá Region, about 1,000 miles from Santiago, Chile. “The lines from the motorcycles look very whitish. That means they’ve already dug deep into the hill,” explained the archaeologist. Researchers have noted that the damage has been progressive since the 1980s.
His comment about the color refers to the fact that these geoglyphs were created by removing the dark surface sediments of the hill, making the designs visible from a distance. If the tire tracks are clear, it means they’ve replicated the same process used by the original communities.
More:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-race-to-protect-atacamas-ancient-geoglyphs