On the slopes of Ufentbao Mountain in the Berkshire region of England, there exists a white horse relief created over 200 years before Christ. This white horse measures 100 meters in length and 40 meters in height, resembling a mythical steed synthesized from various attributes of other animals (its shape is akin to a camel traversing the mountain’s cliffs, exuding a majestic presence).
It is hard to believe that this is the back layer of the outer soil; ancient inhabitants chose to scrape it away to reveal the underlying layer of white limestone which they sculpted. Residents from nearby villages gather every six years to clear away the weeds, enhancing the environment for the White Horse.
To this day, this White Horse remains as pristine as during its inception. Although people continue to marvel at its sight, no one knows the true meaning behind this masterpiece; is it merely a symbol or a great work of art?
In Santiago, America, there is a large mound with over 1,500 years of history. Atop this mound is a large hawk formed from stacked stones. The hawk has a wingspan of 40 meters, as if it is poised to take flight. This Large Hawk Mound distinctly showcases the creativity of ancient Indigenous peoples, yet the purpose behind its construction remains a mystery, possibly a form of prehistoric hawk worship.
On the summit of Dacheo Mountain in America, there is a circular stone structure known as the “Devil’s Wheel,” measuring 30 meters in diameter, with 28 stone spokes radiating through its center. Some researchers speculate that Indigenous peoples may have used it to predict the Summer and Winter Solstices, but to date, there is no solid evidence to confirm this.
Among all these mounds, the largest and most mysterious is the “Great Serpent Mound” located in southern Ohio, America. This mound is a massive earthen serpent, approximately 6 meters wide, 2 meters high, and extending up to 383 meters in length, with the actual serpent’s body measuring about 600 meters. The serpent’s mouth is wide open, seemingly poised to swallow a mound of earth shaped like an egg or a frog’s egg.
Inside the Great Serpent Mound, there are no human remains or any written artifacts or products created by humans. Consequently, it remains unclear who constructed this mound and during what time period.
Modern scientists have employed advanced techniques to relatively accurately date these prehistoric structures. However, questions regarding their origin, function, purpose, and the identity of their builders remain unresolved.
What makes these prehistoric designs even more captivating is that the large-scale patterns cannot be fully observed from the ground. For instance, the Great Serpent Mound can only be viewed in its entirety from thousands of meters above. The large hawk sculpture can also only be accurately distinguished from an elevated perspective.
Researchers have explored various methods to observe the complete images of these animals from the ground, but all attempts have proved fruitless. They have had to resort to advanced scientific methods, such as telescopes and aerial surveys. In other words, these mysterious and grand images can only be comprehensively viewed from above. So, how did the ancient peoples design and construct such large-scale patterns? Even if they could build them, how did they manage to view them? These grand designs not only astonish humanity but also open up endless avenues for exploration.
