The Ancient Civilization Of Nazca

Nazca: A civilization of southern coastalPeru, theNazcabecamefamous fortheirundergroundirrigation channels and their gigantic and mysterious lines in the desert in the form of monkeys, birds, spiders, andotherdesigns. (pron. NAHZ-kah)

The Coso Mountain Range is located at the intersection of the Great Basin and California culture area just above the eastern California desert. This region was left with arroyo walls, lava flows and pyroclastic boulders covered with petroglyphs of zoomorphic and anthropomorphic images (127). Petroglyphs are images created by carving, pecking or incising images into rock surfaces. The most common rock art element found in the Coso Range is that of bighorn sheep (129). Although bighorn sheep images were common in other parts of the Great Basin and the Southwest, these elements were seen in far greater quantities in the Coso Range. The bighorn sheep image represents more than half of the 100,000 rock art elements discovered in this region. Many

Ever wondered how breathtaking the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza is? This site, laden with structures dating so many years back is a place that should be visited by anyone who has a keen interest in ancient civilization.A description of the structures here will reveal that the owners of the site were not only gifted but may have been influenced by their beliefs in the divine.

Tres Zapotes was occupied by the Olmecs and Epi-Olmecs (or post-Olmecs), with the majority of the remains from the Epi-Olmecs (1). The most important findings were two colossal heads and Stelae C (3). Stelae C was the second oldest Mesoamerican long count calendar, which dates back to 31 BC (3). The different structures and political mounds at the site shows how there wasn’t a centralized government, due to the equidistant spacing of the constructions (1). The people also had trade connections with other populations, which influenced the poplation’s art styles (2). For example, sculptures had similar styles to those from Izapa, Guatemala, whom they traded with (2). The population also had connections with the Mixe people from the Isthmian region of Mexico (3).

Unlike Moche, Nazca ceramics are much more detailed and decorative. At this point they were using up to fifteen pigments and thirteen colors on one single vase. The Nazca were divided into valleys and in each the village they had their very own priest/ religious leader who also lived in the large structure (most likely pyramids) which were made of adobe along with other elites. Nazca artifacts indicate that their religious beliefs are greatly centered on the worship of multiple gods in the hopes of prosperous agriculture and fertility. Priest in the Nasca society had the power to organize community work and direct all religious activities, which is how Cahuachi was built. Cahuachi is the largest Nasca site on the South coast thus far measuring

The Nazca civilization was formed in southwest Peru around 100 BC. They would continue on for hundreds of years until their final demise sometime around 600 AD. They emerged from and were influenced by their predecessors, the Paracas. The Nazca culture consisted of extraordinary pottery, fine textiles, and incredible geoglyphs etched into the ground and visible from the sky. These geoglyphs are known as the Nazca Lines.

The geoglyphs on the Pampa de Nazca in Peru are as stunning as they are mysterious. Many, many theories surround the lines such as aliens, slaves, or tribute to the dead. The lines could have been created as an extension of the Inca Ceque lines in Cusco for part of the water cult and the worship of the water and mountain deities, or perhaps they were created to please a ‘sky god’ seen during the unusual amount of solar eclipses during the time of construction or even as a depiction of constellations and zodiac knowledge.

The Nazca Lines discovered in 1939, by Paul Kosok, are gigantic drawings that cover the Nazca Desert in southern Peru (“The Nazca Lines”, web). It is said that the Nazca people are the creators of these lines, but when the Nazca people and their culture vanished the Lines were the only things left behind. Today, many historians and archaeologists are left with this Desert riddle. There are many theories concerning the Nazca Lines and their origin, what they could possibly mean and who put them there. There are no exact answers but these theories and ideas have provided many possibilities that have brought historians closer to solving the mystery. Although theories of the Nazca Desert drawings include

They assume that the person who created the lines had to have diligent attention in order to fight the lines. It also took many hours to get them done well. They also realized that they didn't need great mathematical or engineering skills to create the figures/lines, it was all created because people worked together very carefully with their eyes and hands. There were are theories that the nazcas lines were created not only by ground but maybe on the air but it wasn't proven. It was also questioned the reasoning behind the drawings because they were only really visible when of ground, only in high altitudes, for this reason they believed that the reason for that was so that the gods could see their drawing. Another explanation for the lines were that they use to use them to mark the water source and geological faults that could inform the nazca people where they could reliably find fresh water. Regardless of what this beautiful lines were made for continue to impact us today and make us want to learn more about the past and what people have left behind. As well as it helps us understand what people did before technology existed and how they interpreted the

The Maya epitomize the ancient traditions of civilization in Central America. This excavation will take place in the Maya site of Cahal Pech in the Cayo District of Belize, which consists of ceremonial centers, temples, elite and servant quarters. The focus of this excavation will be directed towards the elite (plaza A) and servant quarters (plaza F & G). We will be focusing on these specific quarters in order to compare artifacts found that could possibly reveal the existence or non-existence of the separation between elites and servants, along with their daily activities. My excavation team consists of a zooarchaeologist who specializes in animal bones, a lithic technologist to analyze any stone technology, as well as a ceramic analyst. Using specific dating techniques such as thermoluminescence as well as radiocarbon dating we could assume this site was founded in the Early Middle Pre-Classic period and continued to thrive as a Maya city until at least the end of the Classic period.

The Nazca culture is best known for the creation of the Nazca Lines, a series of more than 1,000 large-scale designs etched into the desert sands of southeastern Peru that are best seen from the air or on a hilltop. The drawings, created by digging up the dark stones on the desert surface to reveal the light sand underneath, depict geometric shapes, lines, plants, animals, and humans. Due to the dry and practically windless climate of their geographic location, the Nazca Lines have been well-preserved for more than a thousand years.

The Olmec civilization is the first great civilization of Mesoamerica and also one of the longest lasting (1200 B.C.E – 400 B.C.E). The Olmec culture can be said to be the foundation of all subsequent Mesoamerican civilizations. Despite its history and influence, the Olmecs still remain a mystery in areas such as, what they called themselves (Olmec is an Aztec name) and their beliefs, since there are no direct accounts, unlike the Aztec with their codices. However, the Olmecs left behind many artifacts that allow historians to better understand the Olmec way of life. One of the most prominent pieces, the Olmec Ceremonial Axe, also known as the Kunz Axe (after George Kunz who first discovered it), is critical in understanding Olmec culture and traditions because of its unique anthropomorphic style that was ubiquitous in Olmec art. The axe was crafted around 1000 BCE and reportedly found in the southern highland valley of Oaxaca, which is 500 miles away from any Olmec settlement. Although the geographical location does not support the idea that the Kunz Axe is Olmec, the contents of this paper will confirm that it is undoubtedly an Olmec artifact. This paper will visually analyze the physical characteristics of the artifact, describe its function and role within Olmec society, and examine the symbolism that is directly related to religion and beliefs.

The Nazca lines are located in Peru, South America. The lines are around two hundred miles away from Lima, Peru’s capital. The lines are geoglyphs and biomorphs; geoglyphs are large designs produced in the ground, normally by rocks. The Nazca lines are created by trenches within the ground. The lines were said to be created between 500 B.C.E. and 500 A.D. The Nazca Lines are a largely known phenomenon of the Nazca people in Peru.

With that being said, there has been many speculations behind the true motivations of these designs. Some ideas seem logical and others a bit unbelievable. Scientists carry on the theory that the purpose of the lines were used for mapping, calendars, ancient messages to be pasted on to new generations, as well as an alien spacecraft landing zone. Another theory according to the ancient alien theorist, author, and Switzerland born Erich von Daniken is that, “Thousands of years ago, extraterrestrials landed on Earth, where they were hailed as gods and helped shape human civilization.” (10 Things You Don 't Know About) This idea is also referred to as “cargo cult” a movement

Mayan culture existed a thousand years ago, in what is now part of Central America. Its ruins were almost entirely abandoned by 600 A.D, and were not rediscovered until the early 1500’s, by Spanish settlers. Mayan architecture astounded the early conquistadors, and continues to be of great interest to modern archeologists as well. These scientists have labeled a certain period of Mayan architectural history as the “Classic” period.