The Nazca Lines are a series of large geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. They were created by the Nazca culture between 500 BCE and 500 CE. The figures depicted in the Nazca Lines include animals, plants, imaginary creatures, and geometric shapes. One of the most famous figures is the giant hummingbird, which covers an area of approximately 15,950 square feet (1,482 square meters).
How were the Nazca Lines created?
The Nazca Lines were created by removing the top layer of reddish iron oxide coated pebbles to reveal the whitish ground beneath. This was done using basic tools such as stakes and ropes. The designs were made to be viewed from above, and the figures can be seen in their entirety only from the sky. The purpose of the Nazca Lines continues to elude scholars, but they may have had ritual astronomical functions.
Where are the Nazca Lines located?
The Nazca Lines are located on a high arid plateau in the Nazca Desert between the towns of Nazca and Palpa, about 250 miles (400 km) south of Lima, Peru. The area is characterized by little rainfall and constant winds. The desert is also very flat which allowed the Nazca people to create such large-scale figures that can be seen from above.
The Hummingbird Geoglyph
The giant hummingbird is located about 20 miles (30 km) north of Nazca on the Nazca Pampas. It is one of the most famous and best preserved figures of the Nazca Lines.
Dimensions of the Hummingbird
| Measurement | Size |
|---|---|
| Length | 120 meters |
| Width | 50 meters |
| Total area | Approximately 15,950 square feet (1,482 square meters) |
The hummingbird stretches over 120 meters in length and 50 meters in width. This makes it larger than a football field in total area. The figure has clearly defined wings, tail feathers, a head, and a long thin beak, accurately reflecting the features of a hummingbird.
Symbolism of the Hummingbird
The hummingbird held cultural significance for the Nazca people and was seen as a symbol of power and energy. Like real hummingbirds, the geoglyph may have represented agility, resilience, and vitality. Due to its large size, the giant hummingbird likely also symbolized the importance of its meaning to the Nazca culture.
History of Study
Discovery by Archaeologists
The Nazca Lines were first spotted in 1927 by Peruvian archaeologist Toribio Mejia Xesspe, while he was hiking in the foothills. He later studied them from an airplane and published his findings in 1936. American professor Paul Kosok made further studies in 1940 when he noticed the lines converged at the winter solstice sunset. Since then, the Nazca Lines have been extensively studied, mapped, and protected by various archaeologists.
Maria Reiche’s Research
German mathematician and archaeologist Maria Reiche made an extensive survey of the Nazca Lines from 1940 until her death in 1998. Reiche’s research established many of the Nazca Lines’ measurements and configurations. She hypothesized the straight lines were related to water worship, the trapezoids showed constellation patterns, and the large figures represented sacred animals. Reiche brought much needed attention to the preservation of the Nazca Lines as well.
Dating of the Geoglyphs
In the 1970s, archaeologist Phyllis Pitluga used carbon-14 and pottery shards found at the sites to determine that the Nazca Lines were created by the Nazca culture between 500 BCE and 500 CE. More recent research using new dating techniques confirms this approximate date range.
Construction of the Hummingbird Figure
The giant hummingbird geoglyph was created in a remarkably precise manner that highlights the skills of the Nazca builders.
Removal of Red Pebbles
To make the hummingbird, first hundreds of red iron oxide coated pebbles were removed from the ground to a depth of about 4-6 inches. This revealed the light colored clay earth beneath, creating the outline of the hummingbird figure.
Preparation of the Ground Surface
The area was leveled and smoothed over by flattening and compressing the earth, to create a uniform ground surface. This was done using feet, ropes, and wooden stakes to guide the work across the large area.
Planning and Precision
The hummingbird was laid out using measuring ropes anchored with wooden stakes at critical points along the outline. By pulling the ropes taut between each stake, perfectly straight lines and precise shapes could be marked out before removing the pebbles. This required sophisticated surveying knowledge.
Maintenance
It is remarkable to consider that the giant hummingbird figure has survived intact through centuries of wind, rain, erosion, and lack of maintenance since the disappearance of the Nazca people. The arid climate has helped preserve the Nazca Lines.
Threats and Preservation
Natural Threats
The Nazca Lines face ongoing natural threats from:
- Wind and rain erosion of the ground
- Flooding which can wash away lines
- Sand dunes which can cover over designs
Man-Made Threats
Some threats posed by human activity include:
- Encroaching roads, urban areas, and farmland
- Illegal building of houses and hotels near geoglyph sites
- Tourists walking on the lines
- Vehicle traffic which cuts paths through the designs
Preservation Efforts
In the 1990s, the Nazca Lines were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Preservation efforts include:
- Restricting access and banning vehicles near the lines
- Increasing security and surveillance
- Constructing viewing towers for visitors
- Prohibiting flight paths over the area
Methods of Studying the Nazca Lines
Scholars have used various methods to study and map the geoglyphs:
Ground Surveys
Archaeologists conduct surveys on foot to measure dimensions, record positions using GPS, draw sketches, and photograph the Nazca Lines. Surveys are restricted to protect the fragile lines.
Aerial Surveys
Experts have taken thousands of aerial photographs from light aircraft, helicopters, balloons, and drones. Aerial surveys allow documentation of the overall shapes and give a big picture perspective.
3D Scanning
In recent years, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology has been used to create detailed 3D scans of the lines and terrain from survey flights. This can precisely map every small contour of the landscape.
Satellite Imaging
Satellite cameras can image the Nazca Lines from space using different spectral bands. This has helped discover new geoglyphs and trace ancient paths crisscrossing the Nazca Pampa.
Theories on Meaning and Purpose
Despite intensive study, the original purpose of the Nazca Lines remains uncertain. Here are some of the main theories proposed:
Astronomical Map Theory
Many scholars believe the lines served as sacred pathways marking out constellations or astronomical events on the ground. Some lines align to solstice sunrises and sunsets.
Ritual Pilgrimage Theory
Anthropologists suggest the Nazca people may have walked single file through the paths as part of spiritual fertility rites related to water and agriculture. Walking near the lines was seen as an act of worship.
Shamanic Trance Theory
One theory speculates shamans used the lines as part of meditative trance rituals, trying to achieve harmony between the supernatural plane and earthly forces. The figures and paths facilitated visionary experiences.
Alien Runways Theory
A controversial fringe idea holds the Nazca figures were carved to attract, guide, or symbolize spacecraft of extra-terrestrial origin. Most archaeologists thoroughly reject this theory for lack of evidence.
Conclusion
The giant hummingbird of the Nazca Lines is an engineering marvel and work of creative artistry. Its monumental size, geomantic orientation, and stylized design indicate deep cultural connections between the Nazca people and the natural world surrounding them. Continued preservation efforts and research into the mysteries of the Nazca Lines will ensure these ancient geoglyphs are protected for the future. The Nazca Lines remain one of the world’s most intriguing and unforgettable cultural sites.
