The Classical WorldCulture & Arts
Nazca Lines
c. 200 BCENotableContested
Giant figures drawn in the Peruvian desert, visible as designs mainly from the air.
Contested history
Consensus: The Nazca people made the lines by removing dark stones to reveal lighter ground, likely for ritual walking and water ceremonies.
Ritual pathways and water-related ceremoniesEstablished
Many lines lead to water sources; pottery was broken along them as offerings.
Landing strips for alien spacecraftUnsupported
The ground is too soft for aircraft, and making the lines required only simple tools.
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BookAnthony F. Aveni
Between the Lines: The Mystery of the Giant Ground Drawings of Ancient Nasca, Peru ↗Editor's pick