The local Chilean community and experts want to fight against car and truck drivers who have been destroying geoglyphs in the Atacama Desert for years. Giant drawings depicting animals or geometric figures, among others, are increasingly covered by tire tracks. However, as it turns out, defenders of huge sculptures want to leave scratches on the geoglyphs caused by human activity, so that they serve as a warning to future generations.
According to research, the giant drawings in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile could have been created up to a thousand years ago. Hundreds of geoglyphs located on four plateaus depict, among others, animals, plants and geometric figures. According to archaeologists, patterns on the ground marked water sources and were also meeting places for traders and merchants.
However, this priceless work of ancient culture has been in an increasingly worse condition for many years. It's all thanks to car and truck drivers who, regardless of the sculptures, drive over them, leaving thousands of tire marks. Often, the desert areas of the Atacama were also an arena for illegal off-road races.
– They (drawings – editor's note) are practically destroyed by motorcycles and off-road vehicles, said Jose Barraza, director general of the regional office of national heritage.
Environmental protection organizations and the local community have long wanted to take steps to stop destructive activities. There was also an idea among defenders not to remove tire tracks from geoglyphs, which would remain a warning to future generations.
“It belongs to all of us”
Geoglyphs, due to their location in open space, belong to the group of monuments most exposed to destruction. Local residents, authorities and the museum have been protecting them for years.
– We want to make everyone aware that this is not just a cultural heritage site, but belongs to all of us – emphasized Angelo Araya, one of the members of the local community.
According to sand expedition instructor Franco Diaz, the government should completely close the area where the giant drawings are located.
“If a jeep driver drives over a hill, he won't notice if the geoglyph is there,” Diaz said.
An example for other generations
However, as it turns out, defenders of unique geoglyphs want the traces and scratches of tires to remain on the huge sculptures. This is how a special message is to be sent.
“This will be an example to show future generations what not to do with our heritage, no matter how painful it is for us or how much anger, discomfort or resentment we feel towards it,” Jose Barraza added.
The Atacama Desert geoglyphs are now part of the Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve.
Main photo source: Reuters