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History's Greatest Mysteries: The Nazca Lines
*Comprehensively covers the entire history of the Nazca and the Lines.
*Explains the theories and mysteries behind the famous Lines.
*Includes pictures of the Lines, as well as other important people and places.
*Includes a bibliography for further reading.
"The geometric ones could indicate the flow of water or be connected to rituals to summon water. The spiders, birds, and plants could be fertility symbols. Other possible explanations irrigation schemes or giant astronomical calendars." – Cynthia Stokes Brown
In 1927, Today, millions of people fly, and everyone who does views the ground thousands of feet below. But in 1927, air traffic was a relatively new phenomenon, especially in the wilds of southern Peru, and when the first planes passed over the sprawling expanse of the Nazca Desert, passengers looking out their windows saw an incredible sight that they could hardly believe. On the baked desert floor, someone had carved broad, perfectly straight Lines that ran for miles. Even more amazingly, some of the Lines twisted together to form the shapes of animals, birds and insects. But when the Lines were investigated further, it was discovered that they were mostly undetectable from ground level. As researcher Viktoria Nikitzki put it, “The Lines themselves are superficial, they are only 10 to 30 cm deep.” Since their discovery, these "geoglyphs" (the name for any large carving viewable from the air) have attracted attention from the around the world, and their popularity is matched only by the mystery surrounding them. Why were they created? Who drew the Lines? What technology did they use to fashion them? Their beauty and mystery have, at times, led to farfetched theories that have credited extraterrestrials; as one National Geographic article on the Nazca Lines put it, “At one time or another, they have been explained as Inca roads, irrigation plans, images to be appreciated from primitive hot-air balloons, and, most laughably, landing strips for alien spacecraft.”
Despite elaborate modern fantasies about aliens and spaceships, the New Age theories have obscured the genius of the Lines’ human creators. In fact, the creation of the Lines was actually well within the technology of the purported builders, and the Lines could be drawn without extraterrestrial excavators. Luckily, decades of dedicated archeology have begun to slowly peel back many of these mysteries, even as new discoveries have opened the door for new questions and new puzzles. To this day, anthropologists, archaeologists and other scholars continue to debate whether the Lines had religious importance, astronomical importance, or were made for entirely different reasons.
History’s Greatest The Nazca Lines explores these amazing Lines from a number of different angles. This book looks at the physical context of the Lines (including the geology, climate, proximity to population centers, etc) and explains how the unique landscape allowed the Lines to be created in the first place and aided in their preservation over the centuries, only to be discovered anew in the 20th century. It also examines just what the Nazca Lines are, including what forms they take. This book also looks at the culture of the people who lived there, including the other archaeological remains of the Nazca people and what is known about their economy, society, and political structure. Along the way, History’s Greatest The Nazca Lines comprehensively covers the facts, mysteries, and theories surrounding the phenomenon. Together with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about the Nazca Lines like you never have before, in no time at all.
*Explains the theories and mysteries behind the famous Lines.
*Includes pictures of the Lines, as well as other important people and places.
*Includes a bibliography for further reading.
"The geometric ones could indicate the flow of water or be connected to rituals to summon water. The spiders, birds, and plants could be fertility symbols. Other possible explanations irrigation schemes or giant astronomical calendars." – Cynthia Stokes Brown
In 1927, Today, millions of people fly, and everyone who does views the ground thousands of feet below. But in 1927, air traffic was a relatively new phenomenon, especially in the wilds of southern Peru, and when the first planes passed over the sprawling expanse of the Nazca Desert, passengers looking out their windows saw an incredible sight that they could hardly believe. On the baked desert floor, someone had carved broad, perfectly straight Lines that ran for miles. Even more amazingly, some of the Lines twisted together to form the shapes of animals, birds and insects. But when the Lines were investigated further, it was discovered that they were mostly undetectable from ground level. As researcher Viktoria Nikitzki put it, “The Lines themselves are superficial, they are only 10 to 30 cm deep.” Since their discovery, these "geoglyphs" (the name for any large carving viewable from the air) have attracted attention from the around the world, and their popularity is matched only by the mystery surrounding them. Why were they created? Who drew the Lines? What technology did they use to fashion them? Their beauty and mystery have, at times, led to farfetched theories that have credited extraterrestrials; as one National Geographic article on the Nazca Lines put it, “At one time or another, they have been explained as Inca roads, irrigation plans, images to be appreciated from primitive hot-air balloons, and, most laughably, landing strips for alien spacecraft.”
Despite elaborate modern fantasies about aliens and spaceships, the New Age theories have obscured the genius of the Lines’ human creators. In fact, the creation of the Lines was actually well within the technology of the purported builders, and the Lines could be drawn without extraterrestrial excavators. Luckily, decades of dedicated archeology have begun to slowly peel back many of these mysteries, even as new discoveries have opened the door for new questions and new puzzles. To this day, anthropologists, archaeologists and other scholars continue to debate whether the Lines had religious importance, astronomical importance, or were made for entirely different reasons.
History’s Greatest The Nazca Lines explores these amazing Lines from a number of different angles. This book looks at the physical context of the Lines (including the geology, climate, proximity to population centers, etc) and explains how the unique landscape allowed the Lines to be created in the first place and aided in their preservation over the centuries, only to be discovered anew in the 20th century. It also examines just what the Nazca Lines are, including what forms they take. This book also looks at the culture of the people who lived there, including the other archaeological remains of the Nazca people and what is known about their economy, society, and political structure. Along the way, History’s Greatest The Nazca Lines comprehensively covers the facts, mysteries, and theories surrounding the phenomenon. Together with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about the Nazca Lines like you never have before, in no time at all.
- GenresHistory
44 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2013
9 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Charles River Editors
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 12, 2022
The book is about the Nazca Lines down in South America. These are images made on the ground of hummingbirds, spiders, birds, plants, geometric shapes, etc. The thing is that if you are on the ground looking at where they are you won't be able to see anything that makes any sense.
Their forms, some of which are extremely well done, can only be seen if you are in a plane flying above them. That of course leads to some problems. How did they make these shapes when they couldn't see them and why did they make these things in the first place. It's not that they are small; parts can stretch for miles. It must have taken a lot of work to make them.
The book goes into when they were made, the economic and social systems of the people who made them and the only reason they have survived as long as they have.
One very interesting thing is that it is easier to figure out what they are not used as then what their purpose actually was. It's all really very interesting.
Their forms, some of which are extremely well done, can only be seen if you are in a plane flying above them. That of course leads to some problems. How did they make these shapes when they couldn't see them and why did they make these things in the first place. It's not that they are small; parts can stretch for miles. It must have taken a lot of work to make them.
The book goes into when they were made, the economic and social systems of the people who made them and the only reason they have survived as long as they have.
One very interesting thing is that it is easier to figure out what they are not used as then what their purpose actually was. It's all really very interesting.
September 11, 2021
First, this isn't as bad as most Jesse Harasta productions. He stayed with the topic and didn't give readers lessons in linguistics. The geoglyphs of Peru are large carvings viewable from the air (not on grown-level).
This book tells why it was possible to create the geoglyphs in ancient times and why they are still there. Although no one knows why the geoglyphs were created for sure, the archaeologists working on theories share their expertise.
Finally, the author explains how preservation is working, how tourism is affecting things and the fact that UNESCO declared Nazca Lines as a World Heritage site in 1994.
This book tells why it was possible to create the geoglyphs in ancient times and why they are still there. Although no one knows why the geoglyphs were created for sure, the archaeologists working on theories share their expertise.
Finally, the author explains how preservation is working, how tourism is affecting things and the fact that UNESCO declared Nazca Lines as a World Heritage site in 1994.
August 19, 2017
Interesting intro, the lines are so beautiful and I hope they can be preserved. Good intro to the subject and further readings.
October 22, 2020
Good start to a historical mystery
Nice introduction to the lines. While a fast read, there is a lot to take in about these works of history.
Nice introduction to the lines. While a fast read, there is a lot to take in about these works of history.
May 3, 2024
A nice concise account of how the Nazca Lines might have originated. More 'far out' theories also discussed sensibly, but scientific estimations given more space in this book.
February 2, 2014
I recently discovered this series of ebooks - “Histories Greatest Mysteries” - by Charles River Editors and I became quite captivated by the titles. Judging from the excerpts I’ve read so far, these books present a general overview of up-to-date information concerning many of the world’s historical sites and cultures. As I began reading “The Nazca Lines,” I was grateful for the “general adult” reading level in which the text was presented. By that, I mean the text is neither oversimplified, nor too technical for the average adult to read, comprehend, and enjoy. The book was quite informative, and there were a few photographs here and there. Though, I would have preferred if some more photographs and maps had been included.
This ebook was very brief and read more like an information pamphlet. As I mentioned before, much of the data appears to be recent. I was even surprised by the mention of Mr. Erich von Däniken’s opinions on this popular archeological site. (He is a well-known author and frequent contributor to History Channel’s “Ancient Aliens” series. This book presents his controversial claims of extraterrestrial influence in a more derisive manner. While I am fascinated by the TV show and the schools of thought being conveyed in the program, my stance on the matter remains neutral.)
I was quite intrigued by the listing of notable archaeologists affiliated with the Nazca Lines. Although this book was brief, I found that some of the more technical sections proved to be a bit tedious. Also, I would have appreciated a pronunciation guide for some of the unusual names I encountered while reading. Still, I was impressed by the inclusion of seldom used vocabulary words. I look forward to reading many more publications from Charles River Editors (and Jesse Harasta).
This ebook was very brief and read more like an information pamphlet. As I mentioned before, much of the data appears to be recent. I was even surprised by the mention of Mr. Erich von Däniken’s opinions on this popular archeological site. (He is a well-known author and frequent contributor to History Channel’s “Ancient Aliens” series. This book presents his controversial claims of extraterrestrial influence in a more derisive manner. While I am fascinated by the TV show and the schools of thought being conveyed in the program, my stance on the matter remains neutral.)
I was quite intrigued by the listing of notable archaeologists affiliated with the Nazca Lines. Although this book was brief, I found that some of the more technical sections proved to be a bit tedious. Also, I would have appreciated a pronunciation guide for some of the unusual names I encountered while reading. Still, I was impressed by the inclusion of seldom used vocabulary words. I look forward to reading many more publications from Charles River Editors (and Jesse Harasta).
February 1, 2014
Really good rebuttal of the stupid alien theory. Wonderful pictures.
Crossposted at Booklikes.
Crossposted at Booklikes.
December 30, 2014
Very brief look at the Nazca lines and theories on why they were made. The level of skill and the perceived target perspective that the known technology of the time doesn't justify makes the lines a true mystery.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews