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  The Nazca Geoglyph Symbols & Figures
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Nazca Ica Peru |
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Unique to the Nazca area are the
zoomorphic symbol geoglyphs depicting numerous plants &
animals. However, the unanswered question, is:
where the symbols created by the constructors of the
ultra-precise class one lines and trapezoids, or are
they an artifact of the later class two constructors?
From the surface, the lines are
simply cleared earth exposing the lighted colors
soil beneath. While their construction
technique is not rocket science, their alignment and
precision of the class one designs clearly is.
Unique to the Nazca area are the
zoomorphic symbol geoglyphs depicting numerous plants &
animals. However, the unanswered question, is:
where the symbols created by the constructors of the
ultra-precise class one lines and trapezoids, or are
they an artifact of the later class two constructors? |
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From the National Geographic Magazine! |
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Nazca Plateau Main Lines & Symbols
Chart - Click On An Item To View |
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The Precolumbian
Geoglyph symbols of the Nazca Region (including
those of the San Jose & Jumana Pampas,
Palpa Valley,
Ingenio Valley, lower Rio Grande Valley, and
Cahuachi area) naturally fall into classes
and style groups. The system of classification used
here categorizes each geoglyph into one of five
classes (categories) by their characteristics
(suggestive of the culture or period
that created them based upon
the
McGuinness System).
But in addition, the Nazca (Palpa, etc.) geoglyphs also fall into
12
distinct style groups based upon visual style (see the
chart at right). |
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The Greater Nazca
Geoglyph Region (Ica) |
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For our
Geoglyph Classification System
& Icon
Definitions click here » |
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For Individual Nazca Region Geoglyph Areas: |
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This style group is characterized by
animal and human figures of very low
precision, constructed using both
the clearing method of removing
desert pavement, and digging more
pronounced trenches. Their
appearance suggests no use of
templates, guide-lines, or
measurements when creating these
symbols. However, they are
clearly planed designs, that were
possibly transferred from another
medium (possibly pottery).
These figures are placed on hillside
inclines, probably to be viewed from
the plateau floor as
guide/directional-signs for trade
routes. |
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Class 2
Geoglyph - Astronaut/Bird Group |
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This style group is
characterized by outlined animal and
geometric figures of low precision.
Their appearance suggests little use
of templates, guide-lines, or
measurements when creating these
symbols. However, they are
clearly planed designs, that were
possibly transferred from another
medium (possibly pottery).
The figures with hands show
inconsistencies in the shape and
numbers of fingers. |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Monkey/Hands Group |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Monkey/Hands Group |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Monkey/Hands Group |
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Uniquely Nazca ... |
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One of the extraordinary and unique features of the
geoglyphs of the greater Nazca region is
their approach to design. Many of
the geoglyphs are constructed using a
continuous line style: where a single
line forms the complete figure without
ever crossing itself. This has
lead many scientists to believe that
these symbols served a ceremonial
purpose - that the people of these
ancient cultures "walked" the lines to
perform some ritual - starting at a
point, then following the entire shape
of the symbol until its end. |
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This style group is characterized by outlined animals and geometric shapes, with
a higher degree of precision, including the use of relatively straight lines in
bird "feathers", "beaks" and other body parts. These figures suggest
better, more precise planning and organization of the design and construction. |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Main Birds Group |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Main Birds Group |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Main Birds Group |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Main Birds Group |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Main Birds Group |
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This style group is characterized by outlined animals and geometric shapes, with
a higher degree of precision, but employing a unique design style with either a
continuous line forming the symbol, or
utilizing internal lines as a part of
the design. These figures suggest
better, more precise planning and organization of the design and construction. |
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Why So Many Photos? |
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The
goal of our website is to present multiple
views of each symbol for three reasons:
1) the lines are extremely difficult to
photograph due to lighting conditions and
the condition of the geoglyph itself,
2) to provide better context of
the symbol, showing some of its surrounding area,
and
3) because different views provide a
better understanding of the style of design
and perhaps a greater appreciation of the
genius of the constructors.
more science
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Class
1 Geoglyph - Snowflake/Flower Group |
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The Palpa
Snowflake |
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This style group is characterized by outlined geometric shapes, with
a high degree of precision, including the use of mostly curved lines with a
unique hook, and composed of continuous
lines but with an entry & exit line
typical of most Nazca figures. These figures suggest
better, more precise planning and organization of the design and construction. |
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Class
1 Geoglyph - Snowflake/Flower Group |
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The Palpa
Partial Flower |
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Class
1 Geoglyph - Snowflake/Flower Group |
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The Nazca
Flower/Sun |
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Class
1 Geoglyph - Snowflake/Flower Group |
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The Palpa
Cactus |
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The spider
is probably one of the two best know,
most iconic, of the Nazca figures |
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This style group is characterized by outlined animals and geometric shapes, with
a very high degree of precision, including the use of relatively straight lines,
evenly spaced parallel lines, with
significant symmetry. These figures suggest
far
better, meticulous and precise planning, measurements, and organization of the design
and construction. |
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Class
1 Geoglyph - Spider/Spiral Group |
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Class 1
Geoglyph - Spider/Spiral Group |
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Class 1 Geoglyph - Spider/Spiral
Group |
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Class
1 Geoglyph - Spider/Spiral Group |
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Class
1 Geoglyph - Spider/Spiral Group |
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This style group is
an extraordinary group characterized by
very precise geometric shapes, with
a very high degree of precision, where the symbols are circular and do not use a
continuous line design style, with
significant symmetry. These figures suggest
far
better use of mathematics, meticulous and precise planning, measurements, and organization of the design
and construction. |
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Class
1 Geoglyph - Sun/Star Group |
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This style group is characterized by
the unique style of the Paracas culture,
but far cruder than those of the Paracas
Group 2. These figures suggest
modestly precise planning and organization of the design
and construction. These figures
have some similarities with the
Astronaut/Bird Group. |
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This style group is characterized by
the unique style of the Paracas culture. These figures suggest
very precise planning and organization of the design
and construction. |
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This style group is characterized by
straight and angled lines with
a very high degree of precision, including the use of relatively straight lines,
evenly spaced parallel lines, with
significant symmetry. These figures suggest
far
better, meticulous and precise planning, measurements, and organization of the design
and construction. |
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Class 1
Geoglyph - Precise Lines Group |
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Nazca Spread
Tident |
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This style group is characterized by
straight and angled lines with
a poor degree of precision, including the use of not very straight lines,
unevenly spaced parallel lines, with
significant asymmetry. These figures suggest
less meticulous and imprecise planning, measurements, and organization of the design
and construction. |
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Class 2 Geoglyph - Imprecise
Lines Group |
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Class 2 Geoglyph - Imprecise
Lines Group |
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This group
consists of damaged, destroyed, eroded,
or otherwise partial geoglyphs and where
it is not
possible to readily identify the
geoglyph and/or the group it belongs to. These figures
suggest information about their design or construction,
but not sufficient to place them in one
of the 10 primary groups. |
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Class
3 Geoglyph - Undefined Group |
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Class
3 Geoglyph - Undefined Group |
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 For Your Information |
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Be sure to let us know about your trip?
nazca @
mcguinnesspublishing .
com
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Fine
Precolumbian Art -
We Suggest! |
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Do you
offer related products or services?
nazca
@ mcguinnesspublishing . com
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Image
Quality |
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A note about
image quality: images of lines and
symbols taken by air or from satellite
images are adjusted to improve contrast and
visibility of the artifact (line or symbol).
The results vary from image to image.
We apologize for the quality of some of the
images, but it is due to the original source
images, and the difficulty of
photographing subject object.
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