Hypotheses about geoglyphs at Nasca, Peru: new discoveries

A new hypothesis proposes that the Nasca and Palpa geoglyphs served as organized work areas for rope and net production, supported by experimental, archaeological, and ethnographical evidence. The study, led by J. Sonnek, builds on previous theories while introducing technical devices—'rope twisters'—that replicate ancient ropemaking tools, demonstrating their functionality through practical testing. Radiocarbon dating of wooden remnants from the region suggests a connection to ropemaking activities spanning from Early Nasca to the 17th century. Additionally, linguistic analysis links the Quechua word huasca (meaning rope or cord) to 'Nasca,' reinforcing the hypothesis. This innovative approach integrates technical experimentation with archaeological and ethnographic data, offering a novel perspective on the purpose of these enigmatic geoglyphs.

Klokočník, J., Sonnek, J., Hanzalová, K., & Pavelka, K. (2016). Hypotheses about geoglyphs at Nasca, Peru: new discoveries. Geoinformatics FCE CTU, 15(1), 85–97. https://doi.org/10.14311/gi.15.1.7