A collection of gigantic artworks carved into the Atacama Desert centuries ago has been destroyed by thunderous parades of 4x4s, quadbikes, and all-terrain motorcycles. 

Located in the Tarapacá region of present-day northern Chile, the geoglyphs of Alto Barranco were made by the region’s Indigenous people along the migration route between the Oasis of Pica and the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

The etchings were created between 900 and 1450 CE by removing darker surface rocks and pebbles from the ground, revealing a lighter sandy layer beneath. Thanks to the unbelievably arid conditions of the Atacama Desert, the archaeological remains have remained well-preserved for centuries – until now. 

The Atacama Desert Foundation has recently reported that many of the Alto Barranco geoglyphs have become heavily scarred by the tracks of motor vehicles in the past few years. 

Organizers of one of the desert’s large races, the Atacama Rally, have denied any responsibility for the damage, according to the New York Times. They claim that their participants stuck to a route that was approved by the regional authorities and their GPS systems would alert them if anyone went off-track.

Instead, the blame is being put on off-road motor vehicles that take part in unofficial races or excursions around the desert, often without license plates to avoid being tracked. Furthermore, many miners operate in the region, attracting a fair share of trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles. 

While signs have been placed around the geoglyphs in Alto Barranco, archaeologists fear that authorities are not doing enough to protect these bold symbols of ancient culture. Several instances of damage have been reported in the past few years, but little has been achieved.

“Since 2021, this has been formally reported to the Prosecutor’s Office, as part of the work that we do at the Regional Museum. It must be understood that damage to national monuments is not a misdemeanor, it is a crime. In this case, it is very serious because it is irreversible damage… it cannot be restored,” Luis Pérez, an archaeologist and director of the Regional Museum of Iquique, told Chilean media outlet Expreso Bío Bío.

Geoglyphs – derived from the words “stone” and “carve” –  can be found in every part of the planet except Antarctica. Large artworks like the ones at Alto Barranco, often carved into the hillside, are quintessential of the style that’s found throughout parts of the Americas. Among the most famous are the Nazca Lines in the Peruvian desert, consisting of hundreds of lines, geometric shapes, and zoomorphic designs of birds, monkeys, lizards, dogs, cats, humans, and more.

Despite their fame, even the Nazca Lines have been subjected to reckless behavior and injury. Back in 2018, a truck driver tore across the monument while trying to “avoid paying a toll” and left behind a trail of significant damage.