Blythe Intaglios
Photo: Ron's Log, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Blythe Intaglios are a collection of massive ground drawings scraped into the desert floor of the Colorado Desert, located approximately 15 miles north of Blythe, California. These remarkable geoglyphs include three human figures, two four-legged animals, and a spiral design, with the largest human figure measuring an impressive 171 feet (52 meters) in length. Created by removing darker surface rocks to reveal lighter soil beneath, the intaglios are positioned on flat terraces within the Colorado River floodplain. The figures are so enormous that they remained unnoticed by non-Native observers until the 1930s and are best appreciated from aerial viewpoints. As part of over 200 known intaglios in the Colorado Desert, they represent North America's only known concentration of desert ground drawings. Some theorists propose that the humanoid figures represent Aztec creator deities like Quetzalcoatl, suggesting the site may be linked to the legendary Aztec homeland of Aztlan and visited by extraterrestrial beings. However, archaeologists associate the intaglios with Yuman-speaking peoples of the Colorado River region, who likely created them over 1,000 years ago as cosmological and ceremonial markers aligned with constellations and ancient shorelines. The figures' purpose and cultural significance remain subjects of ongoing research and interpretation.
Timeline
Creation period of the Blythe Intaglios based on radiocarbon dating by Jay von Werlhof and collaborators
First documented observations of the intaglios by non-Native Americans due to their immense size
Researcher Harner conducts detailed documentation, reporting geometric spiral patterns
What the Show Claims
- ›Giant humanoid figures represent Aztec creator gods including Quetzalcoatl and the star god Cicimitl who descended from the cosmosS13E05S14E02
- ›The Blythe area represents the legendary Aztec homeland of Aztlan where extraterrestrials landedS13E05
- ›Alignments with constellations suggest astronomical knowledge from otherworldly visitorsS14E02
Theorist Takes
“Aztlan is very important in Aztec mythology. It was a place where the gods came down to give them the information and prophecies that the Aztecs had.”
From the Transcripts
“Located in the desert, just west of the Arizona border, an estimated 300 gigantic figures can be seen etched in the arid ground. Known as the Blythe Intaglios, these ancient carvings depict animals, spirals, and, perhaps most significantly, gigantic humanoid figures.”
What Archaeology Says
Archaeological investigations led by Jay von Werlhof and his team have provided the most comprehensive scientific analysis of the Blythe Intaglios to date. Using AMS radiocarbon dating techniques, they obtained 13 separate dates ranging from 900 BCE to 1200 CE, suggesting the figures were created over an extended period rather than as a single construction event. The dating process focused on organic materials found within and around the geoglyphs, providing a timeframe that places their creation firmly in the prehistoric to early historic periods.
The construction technique involves the careful removal of darker desert pavement rocks to expose lighter-colored soil beneath, with the displaced stones forming outlines around the figures. The exposed soil was then compacted, making it difficult for vegetation to grow and helping preserve the images over centuries. This method, known as negative relief, is consistent with other desert intaglio traditions found throughout the southwestern United States.
Scientific consensus suggests the intaglios served ceremonial and cosmological purposes for Native American groups of the Colorado River region, particularly Yuman-speaking peoples. However, no contemporary Colorado River tribal group claims direct creation of the figures, though some acknowledge traditional use of the sites. The alignment of certain figures with ancient Lake Cahuilla shorelines indicates sophisticated understanding of local geography and possibly seasonal flooding patterns.
Significant mysteries remain regarding the specific cultural identity of the creators and the exact ceremonial purposes of individual figures. The presence of quadruped animals that may represent horses introduces questions about dating, as horses were reintroduced to North America by Spanish colonizers. The spiral designs and geometric patterns continue to defy definitive interpretation, leaving room for ongoing archaeological investigation and cultural consultation with descendant communities.
Mysteries & Fun Facts
The largest human figure measures 171 feet long, making it longer than half a football field
These geoglyphs remained unnoticed by non-Native observers until the 1930s despite their enormous size
The Colorado Desert contains North America's only known concentration of desert intaglios, with over 200 documented examples
The figures were created using a technique that compacted the exposed soil, naturally preventing vegetation growth and preserving the images for over 1,000 years
Planning a Visit
The Blythe Intaglios are generally accessible to visitors and located just west of U.S. Highway 95, making them relatively easy to reach by car. While viewable from ground level, the full scope and detail of these massive figures are best appreciated from elevated viewing platforms or aerial perspectives that may be available through local tour operators.
Blythe, California, approximately 15 miles south
The cooler months from October through April provide the most comfortable conditions for visiting this desert location. Early morning or late afternoon visits offer the best lighting conditions for photography and reduce exposure to intense desert heat.
Related Sites
Parakas / Paracas Candelabra
Both are massive ground drawings created by ancient peoples that are best viewed from aerial perspectives
Plain of Jars
Large-scale ancient constructions whose original purpose remains debated by archaeologists
Badlands Guardian
Another North American geoglyph formation that has attracted Ancient Aliens attention for its mysterious origins
Featured In2 episodes
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia