Abstract
In the Nasca world, the geoglyphs represented a concept of sacredness, complementary, and alternative to, the ceremonial centers. In order to provide more data on the complementary nature of the sacred spaces of the geoglyphs and the temples , some investigations have been performed in Pampa de Atarco. The results from the surveys and mapping show intensive use of the desert pavement. The patterns analysis placed into evidence at least five groups of ground drawings, each of them characterized by a specific motif and shape, and associated with a distinct function. The morphological analysis reveals the centrality of one group characterized by a meandering figure, with a clear and distinct ceremonial function, which stands out on a number of trapezoids and lines, superimposed one on the other. The survey conducted by remote/sensing techniques revealed the presence of aligned along the directions of winter solstice and equinox sunset. As a whole, the complex of the geoglyphs of Atarco presents the spatial and functional characteristics of the venue of collective gatherings where ceremonial events linked to agriculture calendar were celebrated.
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Notes
- 1.
For details, see Chap. 2.
- 2.
Flash flood caused by torrential rains.
- 3.
- 4.
As in the case of Templo del Escalonado, which retained the original height of the 12-m perimeter walls, due to fact that it was completely buried (see Chap. 16).
- 5.
This phase was characterized by the restructuring and reuse of walls built with the quincha which is a traditional construction system based on the use of wood and cane or giant reed covered in mud and plaster.
- 6.
During the excavations of the Gran Pirámide, a number of ceremonial wells were found. They were filled with the offerings of pilgrims. These consisted of agricultural products as well as pottery materials that were often broken in the act of sacrifice and offered to the ceremonial center or to the gods.
- 7.
During the archaeological excavations of 1986 in the sector Y, evidence of intense activity from human presence in the vicinity of the main temples was found. Several human excrements, remains of hearths, and leftover food were found. It is thought that these places were used by the pilgrims who were not allowed access to the inland areas and who camped around the ceremonial center.
- 8.
See Foonote 4.
- 9.
- 10.
With ground sample distance (GSD) of panchromatic scene ranging 41–70 cm and multispectral ranging 164–280 cm.
- 11.
- 12.
The visibility of satellite imagery depend on the time acquisition, the meteorological conditions, and the geometric resolution. By using the entire dataset, it has been possible to improve the quality of archaeological information as well as to detect changes related to damage caused by vandalism and tracks left by off-road vehicles.
- 13.
DEM carried out by Gabriele Bitelli and Emanuele Mandanici (see also Chap. 23 by Bitelli and Mandanici (2016)) has been obtained by using DEM Extraction Module of ENVI. The DEM extraction process requires a stereo pair of images containing rational polynomial coefficients (RPC). The process for the extraction of DEM is composed of the following steps: (i) selection of stereo image pair and ground control points (GCPs), measured by differential GPS surveying; (ii) viewing, adding, and editing GCPs; (iii) collecting, viewing, adding, and editing tie points; (iv) generation of the epipolar geometry and epipolar images that describe the relationship between the pixels in the stereo pair; (v) Selection of DEM Extraction Parameters; (vi) DEM Extraction.
- 14.
- 15.
The convolution filtering is an enhancement method for images, which acts on the single pixel changing its brightness value as a function of some weighted average of the brightness of the surrounding pixels. Directional is a first derivative edge enhancement filter that selectively enhances image features having specific direction components (for additional details, see Chap. 20).
- 16.
The survey was performed by a drone Dji Phantom Vision 2 plus, a radio-controlled quadcopter, able to take off and land vertically on any surface, equipped with a very stable two-axis gimbal, and a mounted DJi camera which can shoot video in full HD and take photos containing 14Â megapixels.
- 17.
For additional detail on SfM, see Chap. 20.
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Acknowledgments
The Ground Control Point measurements by differential GPS have been performed by Giacomo Di Giacomo of CNR/IBAM-Lecce, Gabriele Bitelli and Emanuele Mandanici of University of Bologna. We thank the Italian of Ministry of Foreign affairs for funding the investigations campaign in Pampa de Atarco.
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Masini, N., Orefici, G., Danese, M., Pecci, A., Scavone, M., Lasaponara, R. (2016). Cahuachi and Pampa de Atarco: Towards Greater Comprehension of Nasca Geoglyphs. In: Lasaponara, R., Masini, N., Orefici, G. (eds) The Ancient Nasca World. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47052-8_12
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