Ancient geoglyphs in Chile’s Atacama Desert, remnants of civilizations that lived thousands of years ago, are constantly threatened by reckless off-road racing.
According to a report by the New York Times, the Atacama Desert Foundation, a Chilean nonprofit dedicated to preserving the desert, raised alarms over the damage to geoglyphs in the Alto Barrancos Archaeological Complex, located in Tarapacá Province.
Photos shared by the foundation on social media show tire tracks cutting across the geoglyphs, leaving a spider web of destruction.
The site, which was inhabited by ancient peoples 3,000 years ago, holds significant historical value. Indigenous groups etched representations of animals, humans, and objects onto the desert’s surface, creating an open-air record of their lives.
However, in recent years, both organized and illegal off-road racing have wreaked havoc on this “history book of the desert,” destroying millennia-old artwork.
Gonzalo Pimentel, an archaeologist and director of the Chilean NGO, shared drone images of the damage and expressed shock at the extent of the destruction. “The images are really shocking because of the extent of the contact,” He noted that some of the designs are now nearly unrecognizable, emphasizing that the damage is irreversible.
The Atacama Desert, known as the driest place on Earth, is notorious for its extreme climate. The damage began after Chilean authorities permitted off-road racing events, including buggy and motorcycle competitions, in the remote area. Some racers have strayed off designated paths or raced without proper authorization, further exacerbating the harm.
Marcela Sepúlveda, president of the Chilean Archaeological Society, stressed that the archaeological complex is clearly marked with signs indicating restricted areas, making it difficult for drivers to claim they were unaware. She pointed out that the geoglyphs are massive and not something easily overlooked.
Advocates for the geoglyphs’ protection have long expressed frustration with the authorities. In 2022, reports were filed against individuals who damaged the site, but no penalties were enforced.
Judicial authorities have announced harsher measures after repeated appeals from the foundation and local museums. Offenders now face up to five years in prison or fines exceeding $14,500. Local officials have also pledged to collaborate with experts to safeguard the intact geoglyphs.
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