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Ancient Arizona Geoglyph Older Than Pyramids Found
13 Oct
Summary
- Las Playas Intaglio geoglyph in Arizona is at least 6,500 years old.
- It's the oldest scientifically dated geoglyph ever found in the Americas.
- Damage occurred from border wall construction in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.
New research has revealed the Las Playas Intaglio, an Indigenous geoglyph in Arizona, is at least 6,500 years old. This makes it the oldest scientifically dated geoglyph in the Americas, predating Egypt's first pyramid by approximately 2,000 years. The findings were published in The SAA Archaeological Record by researchers David S. Whitley and Ronald I. Dorn.
This ancient site, located within the ancestral homeland of Indigenous tribes like the Tohono O'odham, was partially damaged on April 23, 2026. Contractors working on a border wall drove heavy equipment through the 272-foot-long figure in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. This destruction has been called a "cultural and historical atrocity."
The damage to the Las Playas Intaglio brings renewed attention to broader concerns regarding the impact of border construction on other sacred Indigenous sites. Incidents include blasting at Monument Hill, a burial ground, and the destruction of saguaros, which are considered persons by the Tohono O'odham. Plans for further construction also threaten vital habitats and water sources.
These events have prompted calls for greater protection of Indigenous cultural heritage, aligning with international declarations. US Customs and Border Protection had been accepting public comments on border wall construction through October 12, 2026, a deadline that has now passed.
