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Who Made the Lines?

Archeological studies show that the

Nazca people were the creators of these

magnificent drawings. Evidence of that

connection is the finding of the same

patterns in their art including pottery,

and textiles in addition to carbon-14

analysis. They began around 100 BC

and flourished from 1 AD to 700 AD. It

may be possible that the Chavin and

Paracas cultures, which pre-date the

Nazca, may have also created some of

the geoglyphs.

What Are the Lines?

The lines are known as geoglyphs drawings on the ground made by

removing rocks and earth to create a

"negative" image. The rocks which

cover the desert have oxidized and

weathered to a deep rust color, and

when the top 12-15 inches of rock is

removed, a light-colored, high

contrasting sand is exposed. Because

there is so little rain, wind and erosion,

the exposed designs have stayed largely intact for 500 to 2000 years. The most

likely construction method involves putting stakes in the ground, tying a rope

between them, and scraping the dirt off along the rope. This would explain the

geometric shape of many of the lines as well as how the Nazca would have kept

the measurements for the drawings in ratio to each other, by simply multiplying

the measurements of a drawing into rope lengths. Wooden stakes found in the

ground at the end of some lines support this theory of creating.

The lines were discovered in 1927 by a Peruvian archaeologist after coming

across them on foot. In the 1930's as air traffic in the area increased, the lines

became better known, eventually attracting a steady stream of tourists.

What do you think the images represent?

Why do you think the Nazca people created all the images? And why did

they carve them into the land?

A giant spider

A killer whale

gbird

The Hummin

The Monkey

The Owl

The astronaut

Theories About the Nazca Lines

To many archeologist and scientists the origin and purpose of the lines remain a mystery

and an enigma. There are still many pieces of the puzzle that have not been found.

There are still many unanswered questions, but many theories have emerged over time.

Alien Theory

This theory is the most famous approach to solve the Nazca mystery. The idea that a

long time ago, visitors from other stars visited the Earth. At this place they landed, and

during the landing, stones were blown away by the power of the rocket propulsion.

Later, the Aliens disappeared and left confused people. The people tried to call the

'gods' back by drawing lines, figures and trapezes.

Solar Eclipse Theory

The Nazca-figures were inspired and intended to be seen by the "Eye of God" that is

manifested during total solar eclipses. An extraordinary series of solar eclipses coincided

with the construction of the Nazca Lines. Some lines are aligned with the winter

solstice, a less spectacular but more regular "death" and "rebirth" of the Sun God.

A Memory of the Severe Flood

All of these animals, plants and human-shaped figures are lying together on the ground.

So it could be a memorial place of the big flood. Many cultures of our world talk

about a severe flood

Astronomical Theory

The lines should show the direction

of the rising of important stars and

planetary events like the sun

solstices. Formations like the spider

and the monkey could show star

constellations like Orion and Ursa

Major.

Astronomical Calendar

It is believed the drawing of Nazca

Lines are a giant astronomical

calendar. The line-system was used

to measure the precipitation value.

Figures, especially the seabirds, have a connection to the meteorological prophecy

system of the Nazca culture.

Which theory makes more sense for the purpose of the images?

Can you think of any other reason the images were made on the Earth?

Theories About the Nazca Lines

The Need for Water

The meaning of the Nazca drawings could have been their need for water. The mirage

of water in the desert can be seen when the winds subside. The drawings of the desert

are covered by this water phantom. This is precisely what the Nazca Indians must have

seen. The multitude of lines in the desert were then ditches to channel the water

phantom. The drawings were made by a single line without breaks that could serve as

receptacles for water.

Religious Theory

Many archeologists believe that the lines had a religious meaning and were meant to

worship gods who would bring a successful crop. As in other pre-Inca cultures Nazca

worshipped mountains and water sources. The lines represent sacred passageways

leading to places where the gods could be worshipped.

The drawings were offerings to the gods.

Conservation Issues

Unlike other relics throughout the world, the

Nazca lines are largely spared from

unintentional destruction, thanks to their

location. But the geoglyphs aren't completely

safe. In 2009, the Nazca lines suffered the

first recorded instance of rain damage. Heavy

downpours flowing off the Pan-American

Highway - a network of roads that connects

nearly all countries in the Americas with a Pacific coast - deposited sand and clay onto

three fingers of the hand-shaped geoglyph.

In 2014, the environmental group Greenpeace damaged an area near the hummingbird

geoglyph during a media stunt. The activists disturbed the upper layer of rocks by the

hummingbird when they trampled through the forbidden area of desert to lay down a

large sign that promotes renewable energy.

And in 2018, a commercial truck driver was arrested after he drove onto a portion of

the Nazca lines, etching deep scars into an area roughly 100 feet by 330 feet. The

damage caused by the truck driver renewed calls for greater security and surveillance at

the sites.

Do you think the geoglyph sites should be protected?

What should they do to protect them?

Should they continue to let the public have access to view them?

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