Dozens of mysterious geoglyphs (in other words, circles on the ground), some of which formed a chain, were found near the ancient Peruvian settlement of Quilcapampa. Scholars, as usual, believe that the circles had only a symbolic meaning. The new objects were mapped using satellite and drone imagery. The smallest patterns are clearly visible from the ground, while the larger ones can only be discerned from above.
Many geoglyphs consist of one ring, but there are also more complex ones. For example, archaeologists have come across a gigantic drawing of six concentric circles, together resembling a whirlpool. Others are accompanied by a pile of stones.
The size of the pictures varies considerably. One ring can be up to 4 m long, and polycyclic geoglyphs sometimes stretch over 800 m². According to experts, most of the drawings were created "by removing surface stones and releasing the sandy soil beneath them."
Their appearance, presumably, took place between 1050 and 1400 BC … At that time, this place was the location of the transshipment trading city of Quilkikampa. Its existence is evidenced not only by geoglyphs, but also by petroglyphs - examples of mountain art, engraved on the walls of the rocks near the settlement.
Geoglyphs are patterns applied to the ground that are found all over the world. The most famous examples are located on the Nazca plateau - thousands of drawings have been found there, from real and imaginary creatures to geometric shapes.
Why the ancient people needed circles is unclear. Archaeologists can provide only one of the most simplified explanations. Most of the geoglyphs ever discovered are located near trade routes that existed thousands of years ago. Scientists speculate that the circular patterns symbolized something important for the movement of both people and goods along these paths.
But this, as you perfectly understand, is written with a pitchfork on the water - the real destiny is shrouded in mystery …