ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hill figure

A hill figure is a big picture or design that's drawn on a hillside using dirt, stones, or other materials. It's like a giant drawing that can be seen from far away!

People have been making hill figures for a long, long time. Some of the oldest hill figures are in Peru and were made thousands of years ago by the Nazca people.

In England, people have been making hill figures for hundreds of years. One of the most famous hill figures is the White Horse of Uffington. It's a picture of a horse that's been there for over 3,000 years!

To make a hill figure, people clear away the grass and soil from the hillside to create a "negative" image. Then they fill that space with chalk, rocks, or other materials to create the picture.

Hill figures can be hard to maintain because they need regular upkeep to keep looking good. Sometimes they get overgrown with grass or dirt, and people have to go and clear them out again.

Today, people still make hill figures for many reasons. Some are made to honor important people or events, while others are just for fun. So if you ever see a big picture on a hillside, remember that it's a hill figure and someone worked really hard to make it!