RPG Inspirational Place of the Day: Candelabro

Candelabro is a candelabra-shaped symbol seen from Paracas bay. Some scientists say it is actually a stylized cactus which was a symbol of power in Chavin culture. These scientists believe the Chavin (a pre-Incan civilization in the area) created it.  Others believe it was created by pirates marking a hidden treasure or by soldiers fighting for independence from Spain.

The Nazca Lines (about 130 miles away) are another example of this type of work that some scientists believe were created using similar techniques.

In your fantasy world, artifacts like this help to add layers to your game world.  Not only does your game world have its current civilizations, but there have been civilization before it.  Sometimes these prior civilizations left behind old caverns or dungeons or small ruins, but sometimes they created major works that can be seen from large distances.

Why were these things originally created?  Have they been cannibalized for other purposes by later civilizations?  How has their meaning changed, if the original meaning is remembered at all?