Llama Geoglyphs in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile By Sharon Bramblett
This spectacular (approximately 160 yd) Tiliviche geoglyph shows a herd of about 50 llamas, marching across a sandy hillside westward toward the Pacific Ocean, about 25 miles away. Each figure is composed of dark stones that contrast with the light-colored hillside. Two human figures accompany the herd, a walking leader and fatter herd follower. The herd is visible across a deep ravine from flat routes where the Inca herded pack llamas. The site can be accessed from the nearby Pan-American Highway. ABC Catalyst states that geoglyphs are very difficult to date, but that these Tiliviche llamas are believed to be about 800 years old. <http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/extras/ photos/chilegeoglyphs.htm> Fodorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Travel web site <http://www.fodors.com/world/southamerica/chile/el-norte-grande/traveltip_2434677.html> suggests that the glyphs were constructed between AD1000 and 1400, during the Inca period. Though some restoration of the llama geoglyphs has been accomplished, two metal towers and a couple of power 40 Showring Magazine Fall 2014
line posts and fiber optic cables now detract from the visual impact. Human activities threaten the site. These llama geoglyphs are but a small representation of the hundreds of geoglyphs found in the Atacama Desert, a 600-mile long strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It is the driest nonpolar desert in the world - some parts may not have received any significant rainfall from 1570 to 1971! The above information was gleaned from many sources using Google, including Wikipedia. Centro de Investigaciones del Hombre en el Desierto, Arica, Chile. Briones-M. Luis. 2006. The geoglyphs of the north Chilean desert: an archaeological and artistic perspective. Antiquity 80: 9-24. http://blogs.abc.net.au/catalyst/2009/01/ This photo is used by permission of ABC TV Catalyst, Reporter Dr Paul Willis, Director of RiAus. Further reprinting is not allowed without written permission of the author(s). The llama drawings and topographic information were provided by Juan Andrade P., Geomensor, Yacimiento Arqueologico, of the Centro de Investigaciones en el Hombre Desierto, Arica, Chile. Further reprinting is not allowed without written permission of the author(s).