Beutner, Sabine
5 CONCLUSIONS
We have reported here about the current processing stage of the project. The block Palpa is fully processed, the
geoglyphs and other items of archeological interest are extracted and modeled in 3-D. A conceptual data model has been
developed which waits for implementation on a GIS platform. Since high quality of the results in terms of accuracy and
completeness is required, we could not rely on any automated procedures for processing, neither for triangulation nor for
DTM generation or feature extraction. However, we used cutting edge photogrammetric technology wherever feasible,
The produced datasets are extensive, the Palpa texture map alone absorbs 2 GB and we find great difficulties with real-
time visualization.
The block San Ignacio is currently in work. The pampa of Nasca ranks third on our list of priorities.
It is much too early for any conclusions concerning the purpose of the geoglyphs and we wish to stay away from any
speculative statements. A few facts however can already be derived from the existing data:
* In general the geoglyphs are not of very high geometrical precision. Thus the production cannot be considered a great
engineering achievement.
* Geoglyphs are overlaying each other. Therefore the builders were not very respectful of previous works. Aveni, Sil-
verman, 1991, state very appropriately that some areas look like an “... unerased blackboard at the end of a busy day
of class".
* There is a strong relation between density of geoglyphs and closeness to settlements. Physical convenience was
surely an issue for the builders.
* Geoglyphs are located where topography admits. There is a strong correlation between geoglyphs and topography.
Geoglyphs are crowded in vast, flat areas and on smooth slopes.
* Where accessible, geoglyphs deteriorate nowadays very quickly through human disrespect, intervention and vandal-
ism.
These facts should be considered when any of the prevailing hypotheses is evaluated. The purpose of the geoglyphs of
Nasca, Peru still remains a mystery. These signals in the sand, laid out by ancient civilizations, will continue to puzzle
scientists, esoterics and unprejudiced tourists.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are grateful for the financial support given by SLSA (Swiss-Liechtenstein Foundation for Archeological Research
Abroad) and ETH Zürich and the cooperative efforts of Rietberg Museum, Zürich. We also thank J.-C. Brossard, A.
Desiderio, K. Lambers, Z. Parsic, F. Remondino and J. Visnovcova for their contributions to this project.
REFERENCES
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Däniken, E.v.,1970: Return to the stars. Souvenir Press, London
Dàniken, E.v.,1997: Zeichen für die Ewigkeit. C. Bertelsmann Verlag GmbH, München
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