Dating the geometric Nasca lines in the Peruvian desert

Bibliographic Data

ID3245355
AuthorsW J Rink (McMaster University), J Bartoll (Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin Brandenburg)
Year2005
Volume79
Issue304
Pages390-401
Publication date2005-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAntiquity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-598X • E-ISSN: 1745-1744
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0003598x00114176
OpenAlexW2136736641
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited12

The Nasca lines are geoglyphs - arrays of stones forming geometric shapes constructed by ancient humans, the largest ones occupying areas of more than 1km2. The authors used optically stimulated luminescence dating of quartz buried when the stone lines were constructed to give new dates for contexts associated with geoglyphs on high mesetas near Palpa. They conclude that the stone lines at sites at San Ignacio and Sacramento were constructed between AD 400 and 650. This suggests that they were made in the later part of the Early Intermediate Period by people of the Nasca culture

Archaeology · Geography · Optical dating · Optically stimulated luminescence · Quartz · Archaeological Research and Protection · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Environmental and Cultural Studies in Latin America and Beyond · Geology · Paleontology

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access