Located in Peru’s Nazca Desert, ancient geoglyphs known as the Nazca Lines were first discovered in the 1920s. These drawings are; It was made by societies living in the south of Peru, often in the form of simple lines, shapes and figures. Scientists from Yamagata University in Japan have discovered 168 new ancient drawings in Peru’s Nazca Desert. Thus, the official number of Nazca Lines reached 358. Almost half of the new drawings found feature humanoid figures. Professor Masato Sakai of Yamagata University, who led the research, said this month’s findings were smaller and visible from the ground.
Nazca Lines are shapes that can only be detected when viewed from above. How the lines were made in ancient times has been the subject of research for many years. New discoveries were made during drone research and aerial imaging studies in southern Peru. Inca CivilizationIt is not known exactly when the lines, which are thought to belong to the Nazca Civilization, which existed before the BC, were made. These drawings are dated to between 100 BC and 300 AD, based on the dating of the clay vessels unearthed around the lines.
Studying the Nazca Lines
An archaeologist speaking to the British The Guardian Newspaper; He stated that scientists think he has revealed only 5 percent of all the Nazca Lines that exist in the desert. However, researchers at Yamagata University in Japan have doubled that rate by collaborating with local archaeologists. In addition, the information they collect is analyzed by artificial intelligence programs. These programs are able to select different templates faster and more reliably compared to the human eye. New technologies; It brings the purpose of drawings explored by archaeologists closer to understanding.
Many of these ancient drawings were drawn on flat terrain, making them difficult to see from nearby vantage points. In addition, natural erosion makes exploration difficult as the lines were created by clearing rocks and debris to reveal the underlying contrasting soil. However, most of the drawings can be revealed thanks to the use of drones. Working with today’s technology and drones allows Nazca drawings to be seen more precisely than in the past.
New Geoglyphs Discovered
Lines have been interpreted in many different ways since they emerged. But it is thought that it was mostly made to be seen by a god believed in the sky. Most of these designs feature animal figures such as birds, orcas (killer whale), cats and snakes. However, a few are only embroidered into the ground in simple lines or trapezoidal patterns. Jorge Olano, chief archaeologist of the Nazca Lines research program, said the newly discovered figures averaged between 2 and 6 meters in length.
Part of the Nazca Desert was designated a ‘World Heritage Site’ in 1994, and only about 30 geoglyphs have been discovered so far. These geoglyphs mostly consist of plant and animal figures. However, by 2019, archaeologists had uncovered about 200 geoglyphs, most of them depicting hominid figures. Researchers from Yamagata University have also participated in these studies, identifying 168 new geoglyphs in the Nazca Lines World Heritage Site. Almost half of these drawings depict human-like figures. With these recently found drawings, the number of known Nazca lines has reached 358. For the article on the unsolved mysteries and features of the Nazca Lines CLICK HERE.
