While in an airplane flying over the midwestern United States, your friend Amare looks out the window and sees what appear to be hills of earth formed in the shape of animals. Amare cannot believe his eyes. He asks you about these amazing, gigantic pieces of artwork. What would you teach Amare about to help him understand what he is observing out the window?

Question

effigy mounds
Nazca Lines
geoglyphs
hieroglyphs

Answer 1

I would explain to Amare that he is most likely seeing effigy mounds, which are ancient Native American earthworks found in the midwestern United States. These mounds were built by Native American cultures as burial mounds, ceremonial sites, or landmarks, and are often shaped like animals or other symbols.

I would also mention the Nazca Lines in Peru, which are large geoglyphs etched into the desert floor. These mysterious and intricate designs are believed to have been created by the Nazca culture over 1,500 years ago for ceremonial or astronomical purposes.

Lastly, I would talk about geoglyphs in general, which are large designs or motifs created on the ground by arranging rocks, earth, or other materials. Geoglyphs can be found all over the world and are often thought to have had religious or cultural significance to the people who created them.

I would also explain the difference between hieroglyphs, which are written symbols used in ancient Egyptian and other cultures, and the physical representations of animals and symbols seen in effigy mounds, Nazca Lines, and geoglyphs.