Civilização Nazca - As verdades sobre as linhas e o povo que as fez

Under the scorching sun of Peru, more than a thousand years ago, a mysterious civilization flourished in a desert, where the silence was broken only by the wind coming from the Pacific Ocean. This civilization known today as Nazca, left a legacy that still intrigues and fascinates us all, as it was a people whose ingenuity and spirituality were manifested in gigantic works of art and complex irrigation systems. In this video, we will explore the secrets of the enigmatic Nazca Lines, geoglyphs that can only be fully appreciated from the clouds, and we will uncover the mysteries of their religion, their advanced agricultural practices and the way they managed to thrive in such an inhospitable environment.

Get ready for a journey through time, where each discovery brings us closer to understanding one of the most fascinating cultures in South America. But before we take this journey through time, I would like to ask you to leave a thumbs up and subscribe, if necessary. please enjoy the content, as this will help me immensely to continue bringing quality content to you!

! The origins of the Nazca Civilization The date that encompasses the study of this culture extends from 200 BCE to 750 CE, a period when human groups began to settle on the arid southern coast of Peru, where the current city of Nazca and other surrounding valleys are located, with its main religious and urban sites such as those found in Cahuachi and Ventilla. Nazca society developed during the so-called Early Intermediate Period and is generally divided into 7 phases, the 1st phase being called Proto-Nazca (200 BCE - 1 CE), phases 2, 3 and 4 as Early Nazca, (1 -450 CE), phase 5 being the Middle Nazca period (450-550 CE) and Late Nazca, being phases 6-7 (550-750 CE) The Nazca emerge in the same period that the Paracas culture existed, and many sites dos Paracas were discovered beneath the Nazca settlements.

The evidence indicates that the Nazca culture was strongly influenced by the Paracas culture, but it is not correct to say that they evolved directly from it. The Paracas culture preceded the Nazca and the Nazca adopted and adapted many aspects of the Paracas culture, but also developed their own unique characteristics, and while there is cultural continuity and influence in that region, the Nazca are considered a distinct culture that flourished after the decline of the Paracas. As they developed, the Nazca extended their influence to the Pisco River valley in the north and the Acari River valley in the south.

Nazca society Politically, the Nazca civilization has been described as a collection of chiefdoms that occasionally acted together out of mutual interest, rather than as a single unified state, where there was cultural coherence but not large-scale integrated power. This reality is reinforced by Nazca art and architecture, which exhibits common themes among the settlements, but at the same time there is a general lack of uniform urban planning or evidence of centralization. The maximum population of Nazca was estimated at 25,000 people, spread across small villages that were typically built on terraced hillsides near irrigated floodplains.

The Nazca economy was based on agriculture, with advanced irrigation systems, such as puquios (pukyu), which were underground aqueducts that supplied water in this arid environment, and which supported agricultural production. These systems consisted of underground aqueducts, surface canals, reservoirs, and spiral wells that allowed the distribution of water in one of the most arid regions in the world. Most people worked in agriculture, growing corn, beans, sweet potatoes, cotton and other products, and the diet was supplemented by fish and seafood, due to the proximity to the coast.

This production allowed a commercial network to develop in this culture, and specializations emerged over time, such as in ceramics production, metallurgy and textile production. As llamas, alpacas and vicuñas do not survive in the dry coastal areas, the use of their wool in Nazca textiles is evidence that trade was established with highland cultures. Additionally, mummies have been discovered wearing headdresses made from the feathers of rainforest birds, once again illustrating that the goods were traded over great distances.

And with the increase in wealth, the growth of conflicts also arises. There is not much direct evidence of militarism in Nazca culture and most studies suggest that the Nazca were a society more focused on agricultural, religious and artistic activities. However, some clues indicate that they may have had conflicts or a need for defense, but the absence of robust evidence of militarism suggests that, if it existed, it was not a central aspect of Nazca society.

One of the discoveries that may indicate warmongering within this culture are the 'trophy heads', found in tombs, where they are seen in various motifs in the iconography of their ceramics, where they generally associate decapitators with weapons and military clothing, but these clothes also they may have been used in purely ceremonial circumstances, and until now, a mystery to be solved as to what this habit actually meant. Nazca art The Nazca culture expressed in its ceramics is impressive. Bowls, cups, pots, effigy drums and flutes, as well as pots in the shape of human heads - perhaps inspired by the practice of taking trophy heads - are very present in archaeological excavations.

Visibly influenced by the designs of the earlier Paracas culture, Nazca ceramic vessels were decorated and produced in a wide range of vividly rendered patterns, featuring gods, shamanic images, crustaceans, condors, monkeys, and zoomorphic mythical creatures, especially felines. The Nazca began to create their own style and the designs evolved from naturalistic to highly ornate and then to highly abstract forms. Often, the design covers the entire vessel, producing an immersive three-dimensional effect, even containing narratives and battle scenes.

Designs could also overlap to create the illusion of space and depth, and they used a wide diversity of colors, more so than any other ancient Andean culture. Nazca metallurgy was proficient in working with gold, where they beat very thin sheets that were cut to create silhouettes, using the technique today called repoussé, shaping the gold leaf into a smooth, rigid surface. Masks were produced that were worn over the mouth and made the wearer appear to have a beard and golden mustaches.

Golden face masks, hair plumes, and nose and forehead ornaments were also produced. These golden masks transform the wearer's face and recall the transformation ceremonies performed by shamans that were such a popular theme in Nazca art. The Nazca developed the ability to paint simple cotton fabrics with a variety of colorful images and motifs.

Nazca textiles have survived remarkably well, thanks to the extensively dry climate, and illustrate that Nazca weavers possessed the full range of Andean techniques and employed an astonishing range of colors and tones to produce intricate, detailed designs. Figures were especially popular in designs and are most often depicted participating in harvest scenes that showcase foods such as corn and beans. Animal figures, similar to those in geoglyphs and pottery designs, were also a popular subject.

Looms, spindles, needles, cotton balls and dye pots have been excavated from the Nazca settlements. Taking advantage of the fact that we are talking about Nazca fabrics, and how innovative they were, I would like to introduce the channel's new partner, Insider, the brand that holds the pinnacle of fabric technology. Insider is a clothing brand made with cutting-edge fabric technology, including thermally regulated materials that eliminate sweat, keeping your body temperature stable.

Created based on PCM outlet technology, capable of absorbing, storing and releasing heat in the right amount, reducing overheating and the resulting sweat by half. Another new feature from Insider are the water-repellent materials that withstand up to 80 washes, and which are superior to common waterproofs, as they are breathable. We cannot fail to mention the famous Tech T-Shirts which are the pinnacle of fabric technology, an evolution in the design of basic t-shirts for both men and women, the soft fibers adapt to the body and do not heat up, are anti-odor and do not fade with time and the best, They don't need to be ironed, as they fall flat on the body.

The Tech T-Shirt is a smart consumer choice : you pay less over time because you can use so much more. Using an Insider is about quality, durability and real savings. In addition to wearing all this technology, you will look comfortable and stylish.

Click on the first link in the description and use the coupon HISTORIAGERAL15 and guarantee your Insider today with a 15% discount. And as we are in Customer Week, which ends TODAY on 22/09, my discount coupon HISTORIAGERAL15, in addition to the discounts on the website, you can get up to 30% off + free shipping. And in addition to purchasing an extremely high-quality product at a discount, you will also be strengthening the channel.

The Nazca Religion A striking aspect of the Nazca form of religiosity are the graves. They are often placed in a pit up to 15 feet deep , and are the richest source of Nazca artifacts and reveal many aspects of the culture, as pottery and fine textiles were buried with the dead, with no particular distinction between male and female burials. feminine.

The deceased is mummified, carefully wrapped in cloth and usually placed in a sitting position, skulls sometimes exhibit deliberate elongation and we know that the Nazca used tattoos. Tombs, especially pit tombs lined with mud bricks, could be reopened and more mummies added, perhaps indicating ancestor worship. Caches of trophy heads often accompany the mummy, many showing signs of trepanation that allowed several to be strung on a single string, as illustrated in pottery drawings.

The Cahuachi archaeological site is an example of the religious sophistication that the Nazcas developed. Founded around 100 BCE, Cahuachi, on the south bank of the Nazca River, was a pilgrimage site and the religious capital of the Nazca people. It was probably first considered sacred because it was one of the few places with a guaranteed year-round water supply and the lack of domestic architecture indicates that it was not used as a place of habitation.

Unfortunately, the specific names of the Nazca gods are not known, as the Nazca culture did not leave detailed written records like other ancient civilizations. Most of what we know about their deities and religious beliefs comes from interpretations of their ceramics, textiles, and geoglyphs. As it was a society surrounded by arid nature, beliefs related to agriculture and fertility were common.

A deity present in Nazca illustrations is the 'dios oculado' or 'god of the eyes', closely related to the god called Kón within pre-Inca myths, being a god of rain and northern winds. This Nazca god is represented in art as a flying figure wearing strings of heads as a trophy, and is often depicted in ceramic and textile designs in a horizontal position with ribbons flowing from his body. Large staring eyes and a snake's tongue are other typical features of this deity, and it is believed that shamanic rites and songs were devoted to him to ensure harvests and fertility.

In addition to this and other main gods, there are several representations of supernatural beings and mythical animals that probably had religious meanings. Much of the Nazca art depicts these powerful nature gods, as well as orcas, a mythical tabby cat, a serpent-like creature, and, as in contemporary Moche culture in northwestern Peru, depictions of shamans apparently using hallucinogens to induce visions. , but these curious representations do not come close to the mystery that is the Nazca Lines.

The Nazca Lines The Nazca drew geoglyphs and lines in the surrounding deserts and hills, which were either stylized drawings of animals, plants, and humans or simple lines that connected sacred sites or pointed to sources of water. These ancient lines were made with remarkable ease and speed, removing the darker oxidized surface rocks that were scattered across the desert floor, leaving a lighter-colored groove. Most of the drawings are visible only from the air, but some were made on hillsides and are therefore visible from the ground.

Lines can be simple - straight and curved - or in groups and can interbreed in complicated networks. The width and length of the lines may vary; one of the longest straight lines is 20 km long and the total combined length of the Nazca lines has been estimated at over 1,300 km. The lines used to describe a specific shape are usually made up of a single continuous line.

The designs can be geometric shapes or animals such as a hummingbird, a spider and even a killer whale. Trees, plants and flowers were another matter, as were human figures, and creating such large designs is possible by carefully increasing proportions taken from a small- scale model. In total, more than 300 examples of geometric, animal and human figures have been identified which, together with purposefully deforested areas, collectively cover more than 640 square kilometers of desert.

The exact purpose of the lines is hotly debated among scholars and the general public. Proposals range from astronomical maps relevant to the agricultural calendar to indicators of sacred routes between Nazca religious sites, a device common in other ancient South American cultures. Those on the slopes may have been intended as direction finders for travelers.

The lines that create shapes never intersect and often have a different starting and ending point, indicating that they may have been paths taken during religious ceremonies as part of a repeated ritual. More fanciful suggestions are along the lines of the work of otherworldly visitors, linking them to alien visitations, but are generally dismissed by the complete lack of evidence for these claims. Perhaps the most obvious purpose of the lines is that the Nazca wanted to show their reverence for the natural world and pay homage to their gods, especially those who controlled the weather, so vital to the success of agriculture in the arid plains of Peru.

In support of this view is the fact that many of the designs also appear on Nazca textiles and ceramic decoration. Additionally, many of the straight lines radiate from hills and mountains and other water sources, trapezoidal shapes often 'point' in the direction of a water source, and the two main Nazca sites of Ventilla and Cahuachi were connected by this type of line. Perhaps the true purpose of the Nazca lines was a combination of some of the suggestions just mentioned.

It is a fact that the lines appear in greater numbers closer to settlements and river courses and that they were made over several centuries. They can easily be done by a single individual in a few days, and often newer projects overlap and ignore older ones, which would strongly suggest a lack of unified, long-term planning and therefore that they were done by different groups at different times and served more than a single purpose. The legacy of Nazca Culture From the 6th century AD onwards, the Nazca civilization entered a clear decline.

Climatic conditions are credited with driving this decline, but the gradual removal of trees to make room for agriculture has also contributed to soil erosion. Native trees called Huarango (Prosopis pallida), in particular, played a crucial role in preventing erosion and when they are felled wantonly, the soil becomes poor. Around 500 CE, the region suffered from severe weather events, such as floods caused by the phenomenon called El Niño.

These floods were devastating for agriculture and irrigation systems , which cannot withstand the violence of this phenomenon. With deteriorating environmental conditions, impoverished soil, lack of food and no apparent strong political leadership, the Nazca population began to abandon the main ceremonial centers, such as Cahuachi, and disperse to other areas, until around 750 EC, the Nazca civilization had completely fallen, leaving behind the ruins of its centers, its tombs and its artistic creations, with the Wari Culture being the successor of these territories. Through its colorful ceramics and intricate textiles, we can glimpse a society that valued beauty and spirituality in equal measure.

The rituals in Cahuachi and the offerings to the gods of water and fertility reveal a deep connection with nature and an incessant search for harmony and prosperity. From the enigmatic Nazca Lines that continue to intrigue scientists and the curious alike, to the complex irrigation systems that sustained a civilization in an arid environment, the Nazca leave us a legacy of innovation and perseverance, and although many aspects of Nazca life remain shrouded In mystery, each archaeological discovery brings us a little closer to understanding this extraordinary culture. May we continue to explore and celebrate the legacy of the Nazca, keeping alive curiosity and respect for those who came before us.

I hope you enjoyed this video and if you made it this far, leave a thumbs up and share it with more people. If you are not subscribed, consider subscribing to receive videos like this weekly and if you are already subscribed, check if the notification bell is activated. In the description I also have links to books and courses, and even a pix key if you consider contributing to my work.

Thank you in advance for your time and attention, and see you in the next story! !