Nazca Lines

Southern Peru, South America

The Nazca Lines are geoglyphs of animal and abstract human patterns strewn about the Nazca Desert of southern Peru believed to have been mainly created by the Nazca people between 500 BC and 500 AD.

With the majority of the patterns concentrated within a 10 by 4 km (6 by 2 mi) rectangle, their sheer size is perplexing if not thought-provoking. But what is their purpose?

Throughout the years many archeologists, anthropologists ethnologists, and even astronomers have studied and visited the location, each coming up with their own hypothesis as to the purpose of the lines. The most well-known of these theories is that the patterns were created to be seen by deities that come from the sky. Leading ancient astronaut experts such as Giorgio A. Tsoukalos to speculate that these early depictions stem from the ancient peoples’ encounters with extraterrestrial beings.

Other more down-to-earth (well, sort of) theories are that the lines may be a representation of the images the Nasca people saw in the stars. Another provides that the patterns serve as the locations for places where rituals were performed to obtain rainwater or for the fertility of crops.

Though no single theory as to the reason for the Nazca lines has been definitively proven, researchers are hopeful that the amount of interest in the subject and combined expertise will soon evolve into a better understanding.

Sources:

“como ver las lineas de nasca”, nascaperu.com

“Nazca Lines”, britannica.com