Nasca Lines

Nasca Lines : are a lines which were constructed in southwestern Peru by the Nasca culture around 1,500 - 2000 years ago. The lines depict a number of mammals and birds including: a monkey, hummingbird, and a man. There are also many other geometric figures called 'geoglyphs' which include, spirals and zigzags. The lines were made by etching the surface of the dessert by the removal of surface pebbles to reveal the much lighter sand beneath. The figures measure up to 1.2 miles in length and can be found around 250 miles to the south of Lima. Their actual meaning has caused speculation for centuries. Some experts have suggested that the figures served a ceremonial or religious function, others suggested the lines may be some form of astronomical calendar. However, recently, a team from UMass (The University of Massachusetts), after performing some scientific tests, have begun to theorize that some of the lines at least mark the location of underground water.

"Ancient inhabitants may have marked the location of their groundwater supply distribution system with geoglyphs because the springs and seeps associated with the faults provided a more reliable and, in some instances, a better-quality water source than the rivers. We're testing this scientifically." said Stephen B. Mabee (hydrogeologist with the team of scientists from UMass). "The spatial coincidence between the geoglyphs and groundwater associated with underground faults in the bedrock offers an intriguing alternative to explain the function of some of the geoglyphs."

See also, Ica Stones.

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