Ancient Geoglyph Discovered In Russia May Predate Peru’s Nazca Lines

An ancient geoglyph that likely predates the mysterious Nazca Lines of Peru has been discovered in Russia, near Lake Zyuratkul on the southern slopes of the Zyuratkul Mountains.

It was found using satellite images, and even appears on Google Earth. You can check it out yourself at the following coordinates: 54.9425°N 59.1922°E.

The strange monument was created with stone and clay, with larger stones at the borders and areas of crushed stone and clay at the hoofs and muzzle. Archaeologists also discovered quartzite tools, likely used as pickaxes, as well as passageways and walls around the hoof and snout. It is unknown at this time who the builders were, though they appear to have been part of a “megalithic culture,” and possibly related to other megalithic structures found in the Ural Mountains.

Experts say the structure may be in the shape of an elk or deer, but perhaps shares a closer resemblance to something like an aardvark. It has four legs, two ears or antlers, and an “elongated muzzle.” The figure is “upside-down,” if you will, with legs pointing upward to the northwest.

At the moment, estimates suggest this geoglyph was created some time in the Neolithic and Eneolithic ages, anywhere from the 6th to 3rd millennia, B.C., though further research is being done to narrow that down.