THE NAZCA LINES

I present the different theories that the experts have about the Nazca lines, but before that I want
to talk a little bit about these lines. These lines are located in Nazca and Palpa desert, in the Ica
department, Peru. There are many theories about the meaning and function of these lines or
geoglyphs, these monumental lines can be seen only from the sky. There are many speculations
that have arisen to explain its purpose, the lines must have been very important to Nazca
civilization, basically they might have moved small, angular rusty rocks from the ground. The rocks
were removed easily, exposing layers unffected by the oxidation process and retaining a light
color. It’s obvious that the lines have been designed and executed using a system of grids made of
wood and ropes to transfer the models to scale.

It is possible that the lines were created as a landing strip for aliens, tracks for Pre-Hispanic
Olympics, for a religious purpose or for astronomical function.Clearly no one knows exactly what
the lines or geoglyphs mean, but some claim that they function as a calendar that takes into
account the sun, moon and stars.Other experts believe the geoglyphs may have been used to
stablish religions, social and political function in Nazca civilization. Other theories mention the
location of the geoglyphs, this could have been related to the arrival of water in this area that is a
desert (Nazca and Palpa), there is evidence that the geoglyphs look towards the hills and the water
sources.

Although the Peruvian archeologist Toribio Mejia discovered them in the 20 th century in 1927, the
study began in 1940 with Paul Kosok and Maria Richie, two international researchers, who
published a series of aerial photographs of the Nazca Lines. Probably the lines or drawings were
made between 200 B.C. and 500 AD. Some representative lines are the monkey, the spider, a
crane, a pelican, a hummingbird, a snail, a whale, a dog, a snake, and a lizard. There can be up to
800 lines, some up to 30 meters wide and more than 9 km long. There are approximately 370
figures. They are the cultural and historical heritage of humanity since December 17,1994. In 2018,
a group of Japanese with the latest generation technology found, a group of new geoglyphs that
have intriguing shapes. The Nazca lines could have been protected by nearby inhabitants but only
Maria Richie (1903-1998), a German professor of mathematics, dedicated 50 years of her life to
take care for and protect them. Clearly loved by the Peruvians and called “Nazca Lady”. It is
possible that today the Nazca lines exist by the Marie Richie care and protection only.

Samuel Rojas Rey C3