Author's Opinion (Nazca Lines)

Author's Opinion (Nazca Lines)

By: Mr. Baker

The Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines are huge drawings found in the desert of southern Peru. The Nazca people and earlier groups made the images 2,000 years ago by removing dark gravel to show the light sand underneath. Some of the drawings are shapes, like long lines or spirals. Other drawings are of animals or plants. The drawings range in size from 150 feet to 950 feet. They are best seen from a high altitude, such as from an airplane flying overhead.

Multiple Choice

Where are the Nazca Lines located?

• Eastern Peru

• Northern Peru

• Southern Peru

• Western Peru

Open Ended

Some people think that the Nazca Lines are related to astronomy. Astronomy is the study of objects in the sky, such as planets or stars. One twentieth-century scientist stated that some of the animal drawings looked like constellations. She thought that the Nazca people drew patterns to match the stars in the sky.

Author's Opinion: The Nazca Lines are patterns that match the constellations.

Please type one supporting detail that fits with the author's opinion.

Open Ended

What is Astronomy?

Open Ended

Another scientist agreed that the lines were related to the stars. He believed the lines were a giant calendar. He noticed that the sun set over one group of lines on the first day of winter each year. Noticing that sunrise and sunset lined up with different lines during the year, he decided that the Nazca used the lines to keep track of the months and seasons. By following the movements of the sun and stars, they knew when to plant and harvest crops.

Author's Opinion: The Nazca Lines are a giant calendar.

Please type one supporting detail that fits with the author's opinion.

The Nazca lines were used as ceremonial paths

There is good reason to believe that the Nazca Lines had spiritual meaning for the Nazca people. They were a people of deep religious and cultural beliefs. We know of their beliefs from ancient artwork found on pottery and cloth. Many scientists think that the Nazca Lines were made for ceremonies related to the belief system of the Nazca. Since the desert land was so dry, these ceremonies were probably related to water. 

Open Ended

Archaeologists have studied fossils near the Nazca Lines. They have discovered piles of rocks at the ends of some of the lines. They think the piles were altars. People could leave ceremonial gifts there. The archaeologists have found seashell fossils near the altars. They think that the shells were used in rituals, or ceremonies. The Nazca believed that if their ceremonies were successful, they would get more water. Unfortunately, the Nazca ceremonies did not bring water. Eventually the Nazca people died out.

Author's Opinion: The Nazca Lines were cermonial paths used for water.

Please type one supporting detail that fits with the author's opinion.