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LEARNING INTENTIONS
LEARNING INTENTIONS
To describe the archaeological investigation of the Nazca Lines.
To describe the archaeological investigation of the Nazca Lines.
To hypothesise their purpose/significance for the Nazca.
To hypothesise their purpose/significance for the Nazca.
To investigate the problems associated with reconstructing the past through archaeological evidence, for example in relation to understanding ancient customs and religious belief.
To investigate the problems associated with reconstructing the past through archaeological evidence, for example in relation to understanding ancient customs and religious belief.
Describe these images?
Describe these images?
What do they depict?
What do they depict?
These are the Nazca Lines.
These are the Nazca Lines.
They are swirling designs incised into the desert sand on such a massive scale that they can only be seen in their entirety from the sky.
The lines consist of hundreds of figures and feature animals such as the spider, the Nazca lines hummingbird, the monkey, the lizard, the pelican, and a whale.
You can also find plant designs like trees, flowers, and geometric shapes like wavy lines, triangles, spirals, and rectangles.
They are a series of geoglyphs.
They are a series of geoglyphs.
A geoglyph is a large design or motif (generally longer than 4 metres) produced on the ground by durable elements of the landscape, such as stones, stone fragments, gravel, or earth.
Nazca Student handout.docx
Nazca culture
Nazca culture
The Nazca Lines are approximately 2,000 years old and were constructed by a pre-Inca civilization.
The Nazca culture was a pre-Columbian civilization that existed in southern Peru from around 100 BC to 800 AD. The Nazca people were known for their advanced agricultural techniques, as well as their ceramic and textile arts.
The ancient Nazca people also used engineering techniques to bring water to the surface for irrigation purposes.
The pottery of the Nazca civilization, which flourished in ancient Peru between 200 BCE and 600 CE, is amongst the most distinctive art produced by any civilization from antiquity.
The pottery of the Nazca civilization, which flourished in ancient Peru between 200 BCE and 600 CE, is amongst the most distinctive art produced by any civilization from antiquity.
Endlessly inventive both in form and in its use of strong colours and bold decorative designs, the ceramic wares of the Nazca are instantly recognisable.
Endlessly inventive both in form and in its use of strong colours and bold decorative designs, the ceramic wares of the Nazca are instantly recognisable.
This ease of identification is no doubt because, in a culture without writing, designs on pottery vessels were an important means of communicating shared ideas and religious practices.
This ease of identification is no doubt because, in a culture without writing, designs on pottery vessels were an important means of communicating shared ideas and religious practices.
Location of the Nazca Lines
Location of the Nazca Lines
The Nazca Lines are located in the Nazca desert of southern Peru, covering an area of approximately 80 km long and 1.6 km wide. The region where the Nazca lines were drawn is an area of the Peruvian desert called Pampa Colorada (also called Red Plain). The desert is not sandy per se, but it is composed of shallow stones with a dark red color. In addition, the subsoil has a lighter colour below this stony surface. The desert is a dry, arid region that gets little rainfall.
The arid plane where the Nazca lines are is in the middle of a strip of fertile land that hugs the Pacific coast and is crowded on the other side by the tall Andes mountains.
The area where the lines are found has has 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures, and 70 designs of animals and plants. Some of the lines are around 30 miles long and some are 1,200 feet long.
Where the lines are, there are also fragmented pottery pieces and ruins of buildings made out of stone and adobe bricks. In addition, there appear to be stone tombs and even bleached skeletons wrapped in cloth scattered through the desert.
Discovery
Discovery
The Peruvian archaeologist Toribio Mejía Xesspe was the first to study and report the Nazca Lines after discovering the lines on foot in 1927.
The public wasn’t truly aware of this marvel until the 1930s when commercial airplanes flew over the Peruvian plains and witnessed the mysterious lines.
How were the Nazca Lines created?
How were the Nazca Lines created?
Fortunately, the only thing that experts can agree on is how the Nazca Lines were made.
Fortunately, the only thing that experts can agree on is how the Nazca Lines were made.
They were created by removing the dark-coloured rock and revealing the lighter-coloured soil underneath. The desert floor has had natural weathering that has occurred for thousands of years. So when the upper rocks are removed, they reveal a sand colour much lighter than the surface. The same colour that distinguishes this series of geoglyphs.
Given the precision of the shapes of the Nazca lines and their enormous proportions, it is believed that the Nazca people used grids made of ropes and stakes to represent the scale drawings.
The prestigious archaeologist Maria Reiche formulated some theories as to how the lines were made.
The prestigious archaeologist Maria Reiche formulated some theories as to how the lines were made.
Lines: The Nazca used wooden stakes attached by a rope. They set the stakes as a guide in a straight line. This technique allowed them to repeat the process and draw very long lines and shapes.
Spirals: The inhabitants of the Nazca culture tied a rope to two or three posts in triangular patterns. They then rotate to draw a growing spiral.
Figures: Artists first painted these designs on canvas. They could sketch an image, then scale it up proportionally with some type of grid system, as today’s architects do with blueprints. They’d use poles and rope to map the lines across the desert.
Preservation
Preservation
Because of the dry climate, the lines have been preserved for approximately 500 to 2000 years.
Winds and rain could easily turn the desert back into a blank russet canvas. That’s why the Nazca piled up oxidized stones on the sides of their markings; the rocks are heavy enough to withstand gusts and the region’s scant rain, protecting the lines within. Also, after absorbing the heat of the day, the contour stones generate a cushion of hot air that protects them from the wind.
The soil also contains plaster which, when cooled by the morning mist, creates a protective layer.
Thanks to these two phenomena, the lines were able to survive for so many years.
Significance of the Nazca lines
Significance of the Nazca lines
The Nazca Lines were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and are considered one of the greatest mysteries of the ancient world.
Why were the Nazca lines made?
Why were the Nazca lines made?
The exact purpose of the Nazca Lines is still unknown, but there are several theories, including astronomical markers, irrigation systems, and religious offerings.
The exact purpose of the Nazca Lines is still unknown, but there are several theories, including astronomical markers, irrigation systems, and religious offerings.
Group Work
Group Work
Divide students into small groups and assign each group a different theory surrounding the creation of the Nazca Lines.
Divide students into small groups and assign each group a different theory surrounding the creation of the Nazca Lines.
Each group is to present their theory to the class, including a discussion of evidence and counter-arguments.
Each group is to present their theory to the class, including a discussion of evidence and counter-arguments.
Theories surrounding the creation of the Nazca Lines
Theories surrounding the creation of the Nazca Lines
None of these theories have been definitively proven, and the exact purpose of the Nazca Lines remains a mystery.
None of these theories have been definitively proven, and the exact purpose of the Nazca Lines remains a mystery.
Theories about Nazcar Lines.docxAstronomical markers: Some researchers believe that the Nazca Lines were used as astronomical markers to track the movements of the sun, moon, and stars.
In the 1940s, American professor Paul Kosok investigated the lines when the sun set. He noticed that the sunset was in direct alignment with the lines, which is why he called the lines the largest astronomy book in the world.
Maria Reiche was another renowned student of the Nazca lines. Reiche studied the Nazca lines images for 40 years and fought tirelessly for the acceptance of her theories. She claimed that the Nazca lines were made for a clear astronomical purpose. Reiche believed that the geoglyphs functioned as a type of calendar.
Irrigation systems: Another theory is that the Nazca Lines were part of an ancient irrigation system, used to direct water from rivers to the agricultural fields.
Sources of water: Proulx and Johnson worked on the Nazca Lines since 1996 and thought they found a connection between the lines and a water system. Johnson mapped the location of wells and faults that were sources of fresh watermarked by geoglyphs.
Johnson and Proulx stated “Trapezoids were found directly above the tracks where the width of the tracks defined the width of the fault zone capable of transmitting groundwater.” Their observations led them to the hypothesis that the Nazca Lines in Peru were used as a source of water, and the Nazca people depended on them for freshwater.
Religious offerings: Some experts believe that the Nazca Lines were created as religious offerings to the gods, or as a way to ask for good weather and fertile crops.
A recent National Geographic Explorer named Johan Reinhard thought the lines had an ecological nature and were a means to perform rituals for water.
Water was an absolute necessity for the ancient people. Reinhard reached this conclusion after realizing that the lines didn’t point to anything celestial or geographical. Instead, they pointed to places where the Nazca people performed rituals to obtain water and the fertility of crops.
Procession routes: Some researchers believe that the Nazca Lines were used as pathways for religious ceremonies or other important events.
Communication with extraterrestrial beings: This theory suggests that the Nazca Lines were created as a way for the ancient Nazca people to communicate with extraterrestrial beings or to signal their presence.
It’s not surprising that some of the first theories about the Nazca Lines’ origins were of spiritual or extra-terrestrial nature. After all, how could ancient people create perfectly straight lines that stretch for miles without modern technology or the ability to fly?
The only way to see the Nazca Lines for the longest time was from the air, which only fuelled more speculation. Some believe that the people created these lines based on instructions from extra-terrestrials to build landing strips or attract more aliens to the planet. Fans of this theory say biomorphs like the “Astronaut,” a humanoid figure with a bulbous head like a person in a spacesuit.
Aesthetic expression: Some experts believe that the Nazca Lines were simply created as a form of artistic expression, with no specific purpose or function.
Viewing from hot air balloon: This theory holds that the Nazca could actually see the drawings from the air by using hot air balloons. “Hot air balloonists” argue that the Nazca were utilizing technology advanced enough to build underground aqueducts that still function today, and therefore were also able to build hot air balloons.
Which theory do you think is the most probable? Provide reasons for your answer.
Which theory do you think is the most probable? Provide reasons for your answer.
Which theory do you think is the least probable? Provide reasons for your answer.
Which theory do you think is the least probable? Provide reasons for your answer.
Viewing the lines
Viewing the lines
The Nazca Lines caught public attention in the early 20th century, as planes gave us a bird’s-eye view—the best way to take them in.
But the Nazca didn’t need anachronistic (or alien) flying machines to see their creations: They’re visible from nearby mountain peaks.
Issues with reconstructing the past through archaeological evidence.
Issues with reconstructing the past through archaeological evidence.
Look at this list of issues and decide which ones effect our knowledge and understanding of the Nazca lines.
Look at this list of issues and decide which ones effect our knowledge and understanding of the Nazca lines.
Incomplete evidence: Archaeologists often have to work with incomplete or fragmented artefacts and structures, making it difficult to understand the full context of a site.
Decay and destruction: Over time, many artefacts and structures have been lost or damaged due to natural processes like erosion and weathering, as well as human actions like looting and development.
Interpretation bias: Personal biases, cultural perspectives, and current research trends can influence the interpretation of archaeological evidence, leading to multiple and sometimes conflicting interpretations.
Lack of context: Artefacts and structures can be removed from their original context and locations, making it difficult to understand the relationships between different pieces of evidence.
Limited technology: Current technology has limitations in detecting and excavating artefacts, meaning that many sites and artefacts may still remain undiscovered.
Contamination: The excavation and preservation process itself can introduce new elements or contaminants that may alter or obscure the original evidence.
These issues highlight the importance of careful, responsible, and multi-disciplinary approaches to the study of archaeological evidence, and the need for continual refinement and improvement of methods to reconstruct the past.
These issues highlight the importance of careful, responsible, and multi-disciplinary approaches to the study of archaeological evidence, and the need for continual refinement and improvement of methods to reconstruct the past.
Why is it important to preserve sites such as the Nazca lines for future generations?
Why is it important to preserve sites such as the Nazca lines for future generations?
There is no doubt that the global understanding of the Nasca lines will continue to evolve with the passing of the years and new technological advances.
There is no doubt that the global understanding of the Nasca lines will continue to evolve with the passing of the years and new technological advances.
Which reason for preserving sites such as the Nazca Lines do you think is the most important?
Which reason for preserving sites such as the Nazca Lines do you think is the most important?
Cultural heritage: The Nazca Lines are an important part of Peruvian cultural heritage and provide insight into the beliefs, values, and practices of the ancient Nazca people.
History: The Nazca Lines are a testament to the history of the region and help us understand the ancient civilizations that once thrived in South America.
Scientific and archaeological value: The Nazca Lines are a valuable resource for scientists and archaeologists, providing information about ancient cultures, technologies, and ways of life.
Inspiration and education: The Nazca Lines inspire curiosity and provide an opportunity for people to learn about history and the wonders of the ancient world.
Conservation of the natural environment: The preservation of the Nazca Lines also helps to conserve the surrounding natural environment, which is home to a variety of unique species and ecosystems.
Preserving these sites ensures that future generations can learn from and appreciate the rich cultural and historical heritage of the ancient world.
Quiz
Quiz
What is the location of the Nazca Lines?
A. The Andes Mountains
B. The Amazon Rainforest
C. The Nazca Desert
D. The Peruvian coastline
What are the Nazca Lines made of?
A. Ceramic tiles
B. Stone blocks
C. Dark-colored rock and lighter-colored soil
D. Bronze sculptures
What is the mystery surrounding the Nazca Lines?
A. Their creation and purpose
B. Their location and size
C. Their design and materials
D. Their cultural and historical significance
What is the significance of the Nazca Lines as a world heritage site?
A. They represent an important mystery of the ancient world
B. They showcase the advanced agricultural techniques of the Nazca people
C. They serve as a symbol of religious devotion
D. All of the above
What is the result of removing the dark-colored rock to reveal the lighter-colored soil in Peru?
A. The creation of intricate geoglyphs
B. The formation of pathways for religious ceremonies
C. The marking of astronomical events
D. The improvement of irrigation systems.
Nazca-Lines-Peru-Primary-Resource.pdf168 Newly-Identified Geoglyphs Added to Peru’s Nazca Lines
168 Newly-Identified Geoglyphs Added to Peru’s Nazca Lines
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