description Blythe Intaglios Overview
The Blythe Intaglios are a group of large geoglyphs located near the town of Blythe in the Colorado Desert of California, along the Colorado River. The figures, which depict human and animal forms, were created by removing the darker desert pavement to expose lighter underlying soil. They were made by ancestral Native American peoples, though their precise age and cultural affiliation remain uncertain. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and is among the largest known intaglio sites in North America.
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How were the Blythe Intaglios created?
The Blythe Intaglios were created by carefully removing the darker desert pavement of rocks and gravel to expose the lighter underlying soil. This technique, known as intaglio, leaves large, light-colored figures embedded in the ground.
Where are the Blythe Intaglios located?
The geoglyphs are located near the town of Blythe in the Colorado Desert of California. They are situated along the Colorado River, relatively close to the Arizona border.
How old are the Blythe Intaglios geoglyphs?
The exact age of the figures is difficult to determine, but archaeologists estimate they were created anywhere from 450 to 2,000 years ago. They are believed to have been carved by ancestral Native American tribes of the region, such as the Mojave or Quechan.
What do the Blythe Intaglios depict?
The geoglyphs depict various large human and animal forms. The most prominent figures include a giant human and representations of animals like a mountain lion or a snake.
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