By Floro Mercene
The approximately 50 new geoglyphs (Greek for “Earth carvings”) were discovered in the nearby province of Palpa recently.
The geoglyphs of Nazca or “Nazca Lines” are a series of geometric shapes, miles of lines, and large drawings of animal figures constructed on the desert floor in the Nazca region in Peru. There over 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures and 70 animals and plant designs. The largest figure found there stretches about 200 meters across.
Nazca lines were known to researchers since 1927. The purpose of the lines is still a mystery. Anthropologists, archaeologists, and astronomers have all studied the lines, but have not find conclusive evidence for any of the theories as to purpose. The Nazca people flourished in the region between the 1st and 8th century A.D. The vast majority of the lines date from 200 B.C. to 500 A.D.
Being one of the driest zones of the planet, the lines were preserved for hundreds of years. Researchers have demonstrated techniques to see how this was done. By extending a rope between two posts and removing the red pebbles on the desert surface along the rope, the lines could be constructed. The contrast of the red desert pebbles and the lighter earth beneath would make the lines visible from high altitude.
The 50 newfound lines are long and skinny – merely inches across and as long as a football field – and they were likely made by the Nazca people and their predecessors, some as long as 2,500 years ago. Drones, which hovered the area and took images, helped the archaeologists to discover the new lines.
The rapid change in weather conditions around the world could cause extreme damage to the Nazca lines as only small amount of water is needed for the Nazca lines to be washed away.
