5 Ancient Mysterious Patterns Across The Globe That Have Baffled Scientists For Ages

It is always fascinating to find a time capsule hidden in plain sight. With every new discovery about mankind's past, you start to paint your own version of the people you have never met. In any which way, the discoveries are only a window into a long-forgotten civilization as we come to terms with how little we are really aware of our own kind and just how many secrets the earth holds. Archaeologists, with the help of satellite-mapping technology, have discovered ancient lava domes in the Middle East. These mysterious structures have been found to run in different shapes, well into a number of thousands across Saudi Arabia. Thanks to Google earth, the newfound archaeological puzzle is the Middle East's own Nazca Lines and now has an equally curious name, 'The Works of the Old Men'. © Flickr/ilkerender So what are these mysterious structures and why are archaeologists so intrigued by their presence? Geoglyphs, as they are called, are ancient structures that resemble a certain shape or form when viewed from a higher ground. These are usually found on lava fields and run between 25 to 70 metres which makes the comprehensibility of the structure on ground level almost impossible. More than anything, geoglyphs should remind you of the crop circle phenomenon that Hollywood has romanticised over the decades. Even though they are miles apart on the reality scale, you do tend to wonder about the strangers that are stencilling their artwork onto our planet. History While researchers argue and contrast the purpose of these geoglyphs with their age and culture, they are nonetheless shrouded in eerie mystery. Estimated to have been created 2,000 years ago, the recently discovered domes are being referred to as 'wheels', because of the recurring design of a common circle with spokes inside. The existence of the geoglyph from over centuries ago makes it an antiquity that has been lying in plain sight of the people. Imagine walking and living by a heritage site for years without even knowing of its existence. Unlike the self-explanatory “Rakesh loves Sunita” inscriptions that we have popularised, the geoglyphs come with a purpose and these actually made life easier for the people. Scattered across continents, here is a list of geoglyphs that have managed to astound researchers and ordinary folks alike for decades since their discovery. The Nazca Lines in Peru © Youtube/Destination Tips The Nazca Lines was discovered in 1939 and is believed to date back to 200 BC to 500 AD. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is believed by many to have 'ritual astronomical functions'. Some theorists even believed it to be a medium of communication with alien visitors. Initially, researchers also theorised that the designs were aligned with astronomy; however, the theory was quickly dissolved and it continues to pique the imagination of archaeologists and researchers till date. Even though no conclusive proof was achieved on the subject, it remains to be an extraordinary feat of an ancient civilization. Marree Man © Marreehotel.com Found in Australia, the geoglyph is a gigantic impression of an indigenous man hunting birds with a stick. Touted to be the second largest geoglyph, it is currently at the mercy of geographical and natural forces that are slowly adding to the gradual fade of the Marree man. Theories suggest that it was created in the modern times. Discovered in 1998, there were suggestive reports that the Marree Man was the creation of American troops. However, upon the discovery of the site, miscellaneous items were found in a small pit nearby, which included a satellite photo of the Marree Man, a jar with a small flag of the US, and a note referring to the Branch Davidians; a religious group known for the Waco raid in 1993. In 1999, an anonymous fax from a hotel in Oxford, England, mentioned a plaque that was buried five meters south from the nose of the Marree Man that was intended to be dug up for a 'prominent US Media figure' before the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Officials discovered the plaque in the mentioned location, and it read “In honor of the land they once knew. His attainments in these pursuits are extraordinary; a constant source of wonderment and admiration.” Intriguing to say the least! Uffington White Horse © Wikimedia Commons Believed to be a representation of the legend of St. George slaying a dragon on the Dragon hill or his horse, this geoglyph was found in Oxfordshire, probably first created during the Bronze Age between 1200 B.C. and 800 B.C. The Uffington White Horse is the only geoglyph with a known prehistoric origin. Over the stretch there are close to 24 of these hill figures. Believed by many to date back to the Iron Age due to the similarity in the images found on coins from that period, more recent studies by the Oxford Archaeological Unit have placed the Uffington White Horse in the Bronze Age, around 3000 years ago. Other theorists however believe that it represents Epona, a Celtic horse goddess. Paracas Candelabra © Wikimedia Commons Dated back to around 200 BCE, the Paracas Candelabra is a geoglyph from the Andes region of Peru. The purpose and the people responsible for creating the geoglyph are still under study and consideration. The design appears to be a three-pronged fork, debated to resemble a cactus or a candle stand, hence the name. There are a number of theories surrounding the significance and meaning of the geoglyph, the most common one associating it with the symbol of the Incan creator god Viracocha; the trident. Believed to be the creator of the universe, his trident held magnificent reverence from the tribes. However, another popular theory is that the geoglyph is a symbol of the local Jimson weed, a hallucinogenic herb that may have held ritualistic significance. The gigantic design is a supposed beacon for people tripping on the drug. Atacama Giant © Wikimedia Commons Suggestive of its name, the Atacama Giant lies in the Atacama Desert, Chile, covering an area of 86 metres in height alone making it the largest geoglyph in the world. Believed by many to be a depiction of a deity of the local inhabitants from 1000-1400 AD, the producers of this geoglyph have been the dwellers of the region, the Tiwanaku and the Inca. According to some theorists, the geoglyph could be an astronomical calendar that would track the movement of the moon. Other theorists suggest more controversial purposes to the geoglyph, which is alien visitations. However, most historians argue that Atacama Giant does not only have a ritualistic significance but also a practical one, owing to the large number of geoglyphs scattered around the area. Suggestive of land marking by the ancient tribes, researchers believe that many of these geoglyphs served as markers for water sources and salt flats. Nevertheless, with its robot-like face, this one continues to baffle researchers and history enthusiasts alike. Like many other ancient structures, the geoglyphs seem to bring out as many questions without much answers, the most recent addition to them being the 'Works of the Old Men'. Perhaps there was a three-eyed raven at some point on this planet, and an army of dead people that fought many Jon Snows, but for now, all we have are these pretty drawings on the ground. How unbelievably far we have come as a race is the possibly the most important take away from every new discovery of an ancient past.