National Geographic - Nasca Lines Decoded (2009)

They are striking works of art by any standard but what purpose did they serve? Some of the theories put forward suggest that the lines were ancient running tracks, runways for aliens and even a giant astronomical calculator. But after decades of misunderstanding, modern archaeology may finally have an answer to the puzzle of the Nasca lines. An international team, including National Geographic-funded scientists, has taken an array of high-tech tools to the desert in an unprecedented effort to build a comprehensive digital model of the lines. At the same time, excavations are uncovering new clues about the Nasca, their rituals and beliefs, and the extremes they went to in order to survive. The mystery of the Nasca Lines is bound up in an unforgiving climate, droughts, clan warfare and mysterious caches of severed human heads. The Nasca Lines are one of the most impressive structures ever made by man. Be blown away by these immense, complex lines that stretch for thousands of kilometres, carved as animals, deities and geometric shapes. Discover how a people who lived as early as 100 B.C. and transformed an arid landscape into pockets of fertile oases constructed these impressive structures. The Nasca Lines have fascinated people for decades, with popular theories about their uses ranging from ancient race tracks to astronomical calendars and even alien landing strips. Their existence is still puzzling to many, and with the unearthing of a headless body NASCA LINES DECODED gives the lines added intrigue and puts the mystery behind their existence at centre stage. It gives a comprehensive overview about the lines, how they were built and reasons why. Viewers will be intrigued by Nasca life in general, especially the use of human sacrifice discussed with the discovery of the headless body. A high-tech robotic helicopter enables scientists to create the first-ever digital map of the Nasca Lines to provide a complete picture that links the enigmatic lines to the desert landscape and ancient settlements. This allows scientists to test theories about the lines in unprecedented new detail.

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