The Nazca lines are located in the Nazca desert, some 400 km South of Lima. They are a series of drawings sketched onto large plains between the Inca and Nazca Valleys (sometimes spelt Nasca), covering about 450 square kilometres. In an area measuring 37 miles long and 1 mile wide is an assortment of perfectly straight lines, some parallel, some intersecting, in and around the lines there are also trapezoidal zones, strange symbols, and pictures of birds and beasts all etched on a giant scale that can only be appreciated from the sky. The figures/drawings consist of 2 types; geoglyphs (300 of them) and biomorphs (70 of them). These etchings were sketched well over 2000 years ago by Indians who cleared the stony surface, exposing a whitish soil underneath. The Nazca lines of Peru remain one of history’s most fascinating mysteries. Scientists have been debating the purpose of the Nazca lines, offering theories such as a calendar, a resemblance of constellations, a map of underground water supplies, an ancient message for future generations and even a landing strip for extraterrestrials.
Recent research suggests that the Nazca Lines purpose was related to water, a valuable resource in the arid Nazca desert and coastal peruvian plains. The geoglyphs were not used as an irrigation system or a underground map to find water, but as a part of a ritual to the gods, an effort by the Nazcan people to bring much-needed rain to an extremely dry desert that only received around 20 minutes of rain a year. Some scholars point to the animal depictions and drawings, some of which are believed to be symbols of rain, water or fertility and have been found at other ancient Peruvian sites and on pottery as evidence of this theory. This theory is considered plausible for many archaeologists as water would be essential in a desert to ensure survival (to grow crops and provide drinking water).
Erich Von Däniken believed that the Nazca Lines were meant to be a sort of “landing beacon/light”, visible only to gods residing high in the heavens to guide them while they await their return to earth. A related theory is that the lines were created to be runways for extra-terrestrial aircraft. He strongly supported this theory that the lines, which stretched up to 15 miles, were actually an airport for spacecrafts. He went on to write a book about it called Chariots of the Gods. These ‘runways’ are scattered all over the Nazca desert resembling a modern airport with an alien biomorph nearby. Along with the shape and structure of a functional and modern airport with the company of an alien biomorph, it can be understood why the theory was widely accepted during the 1960’s.
As for the theory of the lines representing an astronomical calendar, only a few lines have been shown to track the rising and setting of the sun to keep track of the rainy season. But other than these, a few scientists and researchers have been able to make any certain connections between the lines and the positions of the stars. It is possible and may well be, that the plant, animal, and other drawings represent constellations (eg. the southern cross). Maria Reiche, a German born peruvian archaeologist strongly believed this theory and dedicated her life to preserving the lines.
Perhaps the most plausible and believable theory is that the lines were used for religious ceremonial purposes, especially the trapezoids and figures. Since the Nazca desert was an arid climate, it is believed the Nazcans constructed these lines and figures as tools for ceremony and worship to the gods. It was quoted by Anthony Aveni that “the large trapezoids attached to the lines seemed to be situated in the spits of elevated land in between the ancient streambeds. Often the axis of the lines are parallel to the direction of the flow of water.’’ He elaborates by saying that these were usually positioned next to waterbeds they were most likely places of worship and prayer. It can also be noticed that many of the straight lines emerge from elevated radial points. It’s possible these “centertral points” were focal locations of worship and sacrifices; some evidence is that spiraling wells made out of sandstone have been found on the site of the lines which are filled with skulls of humans. Researchers first hypothesised the skulls served as trophies after the Nazcan people had invaded another tribe. After DNA testing, it was proven that the human remains were from the Nazcan people themselves which strongly suggested that the bodies were used as human sacrifice to the gods. The bones were tied to the roof, dangling off the top with a hole in their head with the brains removed with the help of obsidian knives and the lips had been sewn together. The sacrifice of their own people was a strong part of Nazcan culture as It is believed they did this to please the gods to be sure their crops were successful and their land was fertile; in the Nazca desert rain was very scarce. Sacrificing was common in ancient times and it is likely that the Nazcan people also did this.
In the end however, scientists remain mystified by the purpose of the Nazca lines and the mystery of the lines remain. The theory stating the Nazca Lines as an ancient airport was a widely accepted theory during the 1960’s with few archaeologists such as Erich Von Daniken supporting this idea. The most believable theory for many is the theory stating the religious purpose of the Nazca lines, backed by hard evidence showing that the ancient Nazcan people sacrificed their own people to offer to the gods. Other scientists theorized that the Nazca lines were used as a map of underground water sources; it would be vital for the Nazcan people to have a source of water to survive in the harsh Nazcan desert. It may well be that all these theories may be linked and that there were multiple purposes for the construction of the lines. As time passes, and technology gets increasingly advanced, it could help archaeologists make a break through and give us a better glimpse into the purpose of the Nazca Lines. Only time will tell.