Most detailed examination of Nazca lines ever seen reported

From Examiner.com:  Most detailed examination of Nazca lines ever seen reported

Professor Clive Ruggles of the University of Leicester's School of Archaeology and Ancient History and Dr. Nicholas Saunders of the University of Bristol’s Department of Archaeology and Anthropology have walked 1,500 km of desert in southern Peru, tracing the lines and geometric figures created by the Nazca people between 100 BC and AD 700. The research was reported in the December 10, 2012, issue of the journal Antiquity.

Originally begun in 1984 and halted the expedition examined the full extent of the Nazca lines by walking them.

View slideshow: Nazca Lines

Nazca Lines by SPOT Satellite

 

 

Spot Image This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

Most importantly the scientists have established that the labyrinth originally discovered by Ruggles in 1984. The 4.4 kilometer path was designed specifically to be walked. The circuity and the angularity of the construction may have a ceremonial or religious aspect that has to date not been explained but the researchers are certain that the path was definitely originally designed for walking. The most likely reason for the construction was a single file processional associated with some unknown Nazca custom.
The entire labyrinth cannot be seen from any area of the surface.

The researchers conclude that the entire creation of the Nazca lines may have been simply the accomplishment of something extraordinary rather than having a highly religious context.

Photos of the labyrinth and the Nazca lines can be seen at Ruggles’ website here.: http://www.cliveruggles.net/