Von Bildern zu Bühnen: Die Geoglyphen von Palpa und Nasca (Süd-Peru) in ihrem räumlichen und sozialen Kontext

The geoglyphs of Palpa and Nasca, Southern Peru, transitioned from symbolic depictions to functional ritual stages over time. Initially, during the Paracas Period, these geoglyphs were primarily located on slopes and featured anthropomorphic motifs borrowed from other media, likely serving as distant focal points for unspecified activities. However, during the subsequent Nasca Period, geoglyphs evolved into vast geometric patterns on desert plains, becoming central to elaborate ritual practices. These rituals, marked by offering deposits, are believed to have been linked to prayers for water and fertility amid increasing aridity. The study suggests that the significance of these geoglyphs shifted from their visual representation to the activities performed upon them, with other media taking on a more prominent role in image-bearing.

Lambers, K. Von Bildern zu Bühnen: Die Geoglyphen von Palpa und Nasca (Süd-Peru) in ihrem räumlichen und sozialen Kontext. Bild - Raum - Handlung. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110266344.47