Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Hidden in the Colorado Desert near Blythe, California, the Blythe Intaglios are among the most mysterious and awe-inspiring ancient earthworks in North America.
Also known as the Blythe Geoglyphs, these massive figures, including human forms, animals, and a spiral, were created by scraping away dark desert stones to reveal lighter soil beneath. Some of the figures stretch more than 170 feet in length and are best understood from the air.
This 4K aerial footage was captured using the DJI Mavic 4 Pro in uncontrolled Class G airspace, in full compliance with FAA regulations and with a visual observer present throughout the flight. The elevated perspective offers a rare and respectful view of these prehistoric designs, believed to be ceremonial in nature and dating back as far as 900 BCE.
Discovered by a pilot in 1932, the Blythe Intaglios remain protected today and continue to raise unanswered questions about their creators, their meaning, and their role in Indigenous history along the Colorado River.
This video is intended for educational and documentary purposes, emphasizing preservation, context, and appreciation of one of the desert’s most remarkable cultural landmarks.
Filmed responsibly using aerial imaging.
Drone: DJI Mavic 4 Pro
Filter: Freewell Split ND Filters amzn.to/4gKx2Qw
Music provided under license by Epidemic Sound
share.epidemicsound.com/hlmyzl
If you enjoy cinematic drone footage, archaeology, desert landscapes, and hidden history, consider subscribing for more aerial explorations across the American Southwest.
Thanks for watching!
Hidden in the Colorado Desert near Blythe, California, the Blythe Intaglios are among the most mysterious and awe-inspiring ancient earthworks in North America.
Also known as the Blythe Geoglyphs, these massive figures, including human forms, animals, and a spiral, were created by scraping away dark desert stones to reveal lighter soil beneath. Some of the figures stretch more than 170 feet in length and are best understood from the air.
This 4K aerial footage was captured using the DJI Mavic 4 Pro in uncontrolled Class G airspace, in full compliance with FAA regulations and with a visual observer present throughout the flight. The elevated perspective offers a rare and respectful view of these prehistoric designs, believed to be ceremonial in nature and dating back as far as 900 BCE.
Discovered by a pilot in 1932, the Blythe Intaglios remain protected today and continue to raise unanswered questions about their creators, their meaning, and their role in Indigenous history along the Colorado River.
This video is intended for educational and documentary purposes, emphasizing preservation, context, and appreciation of one of the desert’s most remarkable cultural landmarks.
Filmed responsibly using aerial imaging.
Drone: DJI Mavic 4 Pro
Filter: Freewell Split ND Filters amzn.to/4gKx2Qw
Music provided under license by Epidemic Sound
share.epidemicsound.com/hlmyzl
If you enjoy cinematic drone footage, archaeology, desert landscapes, and hidden history, consider subscribing for more aerial explorations across the American Southwest.
Thanks for watching!
