Text 1
Archaeologist Maria Reiche argued that the Nazca Lines in Peru were created primarily as an astronomical calendar. She proposed that the giant geoglyphs—depicting animals, plants, and geometric patterns—marked the rising and setting points of key stars and constellations on the horizon. According to Reiche, these markers served a practical agricultural purpose, helping the Nazca people determine optimal planting and harvesting times by tracking seasonal changes through celestial alignments.
Text 2
Anthropologist Anthony Aveni has analyzed the Nazca geoglyphs using modern archaeoastronomical mapping software. Aveni’s team systematically measured the alignments of hundreds of lines against stellar movements over several centuries. Their findings revealed that only a small, statistically insignificant fraction of the lines align with astronomical phenomena. Aveni suggests instead that the lines were pathways walked during water-related religious rituals, as many lines run parallel to underground aqueducts or lead to ritual sites associated with water offerings.
Based on the passages, how would Aveni (Text 2) most likely respond to Reiche’s hypothesis (Text 1) regarding the primary function of the Nazca Lines?
- By arguing that empirical evidence does not support an astronomical explanation for most of the lines and suggesting they served a different, water-focused ritualistic function.Answer
- BBy agreeing that the Nazca Lines functioned as an astronomical calendar but disputing the claim that this calendar was used to track planting cycles.
- CBy suggesting that the Nazca Lines were built to hide underground aqueducts from rival civilizations.
- DBy claiming that the Nazca people lacked the mathematical knowledge necessary to track celestial alignments.