Post by Catsmate on Apr 16, 2016 11:52:21 GMT
The Nazca culture flourished in what is now southern Peru from around 100BCE to about 700CE, mainly in and around the river valleys of the Rio Grande de Nazca and the Ica.
They're best known in archaeological circles for their wonderful pottery, enhanced by the use of numerous pigments, and complex patterned woven textiles.
In less scientific circles there is much speculation about the Nazca Lines a network of hundreds of kilometres of lines, shapes and figures cut into the stone of the desert. It's inspired numerous suggestions of alien activity (notably by Von Daniken) or anachronistic technology; allegedly the figures needed aerial observation to be constructed though this was debunked long ago.
For those interested in engineering, there are the puquios. A series of underground aqueducts constructed to channel the flow of water in the arid conditions. Water is captured by ground level holes that sent it spiralling down to the tunnel network. Surface level reservoirs stored excess water until it was needed. To help keep the water flowing 'chimneys' were cut form the subterranean canals to the surface; these funnelled wind into the network, forcing the flow of water.
Despite having been constructed more than fifteen centuries ago most of the network is still functional, and is relied on for the local water supply.
What ended the Nazca civilisation isn't exactly know. The abrupt decline that began in the sixth century suggests a link to the catastrophic climate change of the period, perhaps in association with the removal of mesquite trees to create more farmland. The loss of the trees exacerbate wind and water erosion of soils and changed the water flow patterns.
Finally, the Nazca practiced trephination, the removal of parts of the skull. Why it was commonly practiced there is unknown, with explainations ranging from purely medical (relieving pressure on the brain from injuries) to that usual archaeological cop-out "ritual purposes". Another odd practice of which traces have been found is skull elongation. An infant's head would be bound between a board and a cushion or similar item to induce a change in skull shape. Why it was done is, again, unknown; perhaps it was meant to create a distinct social or caste status.
A fascinating location, one that many time travellers would be interested to visit.
Comments? Ideas? Suggestions?
They're best known in archaeological circles for their wonderful pottery, enhanced by the use of numerous pigments, and complex patterned woven textiles.
In less scientific circles there is much speculation about the Nazca Lines a network of hundreds of kilometres of lines, shapes and figures cut into the stone of the desert. It's inspired numerous suggestions of alien activity (notably by Von Daniken) or anachronistic technology; allegedly the figures needed aerial observation to be constructed though this was debunked long ago.
For those interested in engineering, there are the puquios. A series of underground aqueducts constructed to channel the flow of water in the arid conditions. Water is captured by ground level holes that sent it spiralling down to the tunnel network. Surface level reservoirs stored excess water until it was needed. To help keep the water flowing 'chimneys' were cut form the subterranean canals to the surface; these funnelled wind into the network, forcing the flow of water.
Despite having been constructed more than fifteen centuries ago most of the network is still functional, and is relied on for the local water supply.
What ended the Nazca civilisation isn't exactly know. The abrupt decline that began in the sixth century suggests a link to the catastrophic climate change of the period, perhaps in association with the removal of mesquite trees to create more farmland. The loss of the trees exacerbate wind and water erosion of soils and changed the water flow patterns.
Finally, the Nazca practiced trephination, the removal of parts of the skull. Why it was commonly practiced there is unknown, with explainations ranging from purely medical (relieving pressure on the brain from injuries) to that usual archaeological cop-out "ritual purposes". Another odd practice of which traces have been found is skull elongation. An infant's head would be bound between a board and a cushion or similar item to induce a change in skull shape. Why it was done is, again, unknown; perhaps it was meant to create a distinct social or caste status.
A fascinating location, one that many time travellers would be interested to visit.
Comments? Ideas? Suggestions?