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Nazca Animal Geoglyphs: Birds
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 The famous Nazca Hummingbird is one of the earliest
zoomorphic symbols found on the Nazca Plateau, and has
become an icon on Peru. The avian symbol is
stylized with the characteristic "finger" line design
and demonstrates a moderate level of precision in
execution. The hummingbird's beak connects with a
runway design. It is located on a extension of the
plateau, surrounded by drop-offs on three sides.
Its purpose remains undefined. |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Main Birds Group |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Main Birds Group |
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1956 Maria
Reiche drawing of this Nazca bird |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Main Birds Group |
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A
recently discovered new hummingbird
figure - note that this hummingbird has
no feet, and that the beak makes a
slight bend from the orientation of the
body |
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 More
Nazca Information |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Main Birds Group |
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Uniquely Nazca ... |
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One of the extraordinary and unique features of the
geoglyphs of the greater Nazca region is
their approach to design. Many of
the geoglyphs are constructed using a
continuous line style: where a single
line forms the complete figure without
ever crossing itself. This has
lead many scientists to believe that
these symbols served a ceremonial
purpose - that the people of these
ancient cultures "walked" the lines to
perform some ritual - starting at a
point, then following the entire shape
of the symbol until its end. |
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Of
special interest, note the trapezoid
emerging from the tail that aligns
with the beak |
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Why So Many Photos? |
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The
goal of our website is to present multiple
views of each symbol for three reasons:
1) the lines are extremely difficult to
photograph due to lighting conditions and
the condition of the geoglyph itself,
2) to provide better context of
the symbol, showing some of its surrounding area,
and
3) because different views provide a
better understanding of the style of design
and perhaps a greater appreciation of the
genius of the constructors.
more science
» |
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Class
2 Geoglyph - Main Birds Group |
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The head is to the
left with wings top and bottom, and tail to the right.
However, there appears to be another bird (Toucan) of some kind
emerging from the lower right rear of the pelican (see
the curved beak) - it also appears that there are THREE
birds overlapping here - the Egret in the center (most
easily visible) another bird (upper wing and tail shown)
to the left, and the Toucan to the right |
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1956
drawing by Maria Reiche |
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To
the right of this photo is the
Pelican immediately above. In
this image there appears to be some
kind f bird with a curved beak -
possibly a toucan |
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Shows the extremely long beak,
with its body at the far right of
the photo |
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This is a partial symbol next to
hummingbird #1 shows a hand - possibly the foot of
another bird lost to erosion.
The design is difficult to resolve
now - but clearly shows a foot
characteristic of the main birds
group designs |
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 Continue Your Exploration |
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Click Here For The Parrot »
We have
placed the Parrot on the Nazca Bugs page
since we believe it actually represents
an ANT |
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» |
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Only four
legs are shown, but the animal's body is
cut off by the runway - further adding
support for the ant definition -
additionally, no Nazca bird has wings of
this design |
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» |
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Nazca Plateau Main Lines & Symbols
Chart - Click On An Item To View |
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 For Your Information |
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Fine
Precolumbian Art -
We Suggest! |
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Do you
offer related products or services?
nazca
@ mcguinnesspublishing . com
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Image
Quality |
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A note about
image quality: images of lines and
symbols taken by air or from satellite
images are adjusted to improve contrast and
visibility of the artifact (line or symbol).
The results vary from image to image.
We apologize for the quality of some of the
images, but it is due to the original source
images, and the difficulty of
photographing subject object.
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