Over a thousand years ago, the geoglyphs carved into Chile’s northern desert were a center of community life, serving as markers for water sources and gathering spots for trade. Here, locals once exchanged skins, animals, and fish amid the hundreds of intricate, ancient carvings scattered across the Pampa del Tamarugal desert landscape. Today, however, this historic heritage is under serious threat as motorcycles and off-road vehicles carve paths across the fragile desert surface, permanently damaging the geoglyphs.
According to José Barraza, the general director of Chile’s regional national patrimony office, tire tracks from off-road activity have irreparably scarred many of these carvings. “It’s practically destroyed by motorcycles, off-roaders,” he lamented, emphasizing the urgency of protecting the site from further damage. While preservation efforts are underway, the goal is not to fully restore the carvings but rather to leave some visible traces of the damage as a cautionary example for future generations. “It will be an example that shows future generations what not to do with our heritage,” Barraza explained. This approach underscores the importance of respecting historical landmarks and the destructive impact of unchecked human activity.
Local resident Angelo Araya, along with community members and officials, has been actively working with a museum and the local authorities to curb this ongoing destruction. Araya hopes to raise awareness about the significance of these geoglyphs and rally support to protect them. “Our goal is to stop motorcycles and off-road vehicles from damaging the site further and make everyone aware that this is not just a heritage site, but that it belongs to all of us,” he said.
The area has seen various uses over the centuries, evolving from a bustling trading hub to an abandoned relic, then attracting prospectors searching for gold. Eventually, Chile’s national forest association, CONAF, designated the area as part of the Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve, which has helped protect it somewhat but not entirely shielded it from harm.
Franco Diaz, a local sandboarding instructor, advocates for physically closing off the sites to prevent accidental damage. The geoglyphs, he explains, are often difficult to spot in the vast desert landscape. “If a jeep driver goes behind the hill, he won’t notice if there’s a geoglyph,” Diaz warned, adding that closing off the perimeter would be a crucial step to safeguarding these historical treasures.
Through combined efforts, locals and officials aim to protect this ancient cultural site, ensuring the lessons of preservation are heeded for future generations.
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