The+Nazca+Lines

= Nazca Lines = The Nazca Lines are shapes engraved into the ground between the Inca and Nazca valleys, about 200 miles south of Lima. This art was made by the ancient Nazca civilization. The animal lines (biomorphs) are believed to be made around 200 BC and the geometric shapes (geoglyphs) about 500 years later. They were not paid attention to until around the 1930’s when air travel was improving. No one is sure why The Nazca Lines were made since the civilizations had no way of getting up into the air to see the whole thing. The ancient people made these lines by brushing away the iron oxide covered pebbles to show fresh, lighter ground. Makers of the lines would continue to do this with the shapes. Many people believe that making these would be close to impossible without someone high above directing the linemakers. "You simply can't see anything from ground level," states Jim Woodman. "You can't appreciate any of it from anywhere except from above. You can't tell me the Nazca builders would have gone to the monumental efforts they did without ever being able to see it." He has been searching for evidence to back this up, although he and his crews have found no remains of a machine that could help the Nazcas float above their artwork. There are many theories on why The Nazca Lines were made as well. Some believe that they were used to transfer water since many of them are connected to their aqueducts. Others think that they have to do with religion because of how drastic their other religious customs are. They would go from sculpture to sculpture praying to their gods. Gerald Hawkins also came up with another theory that the lines acted like a giant astronomy book for the Nazca people. He could prove this with most of the groups of lines. In total, no one really knows why The Nazca Lines were made, but they are very significant to the people who live there.

By: Lydia Reed