In the
desert of Peru, 300 kilometers from Lima, one of the most unusual artworks in
the world has mystified (迷惑) people for decades. {{U}} {{U}} 1
{{/U}} {{/U}}But from high above, these marks are huge images of birds, fish,
seashells, all beautifully carved into the earth. The Nazca
lines are so difficult to see from the ground that they weren't discovered until
the 1930s, when pilots spotted them while flying over the area. In all, there
are about 70 different human and animal figures on the plain, along with 900
triangles, circles, and lines. Researchers have figured out
that the lines are at least 1,500 years old, but their purpose is still a
mystery. {{U}} {{U}} 2 {{/U}} {{/U}}However, it would probably
be very tricky to land and a spaceship in the middle of pictures of dogs and
monkeys. In the 1940s, an American explorer named Paul Kosok
suggested that the drawings are a chronicle (记录) of the movement of the stars
and planets. {{U}} {{U}} 3 {{/U}} {{/U}}Later, an astronomer
tested his theory with a computer, but he couldn't find any relation between the
lines and movements in space. Another explanation is that the
lines may have been made for religious reasons. British researcher Tony Morrison
investigated the customs of people in the Andes Mountain and learned that they
sometimes pray by the side of the road. It's possible that in the past, the
lines of Nazca were created for a similar purpose. {{U}} {{U}} 4
{{/U}} {{/U}}But the local people have never constructed anything this
big. Recently, two other scientists, David Johnson and Steve
Mabee, have speculated that lines could have been related to water. Nazca is one
of the driest places in the world and receives only 2cm of rain every year.
While Johnson was searching for ancient water sources in the area, he noticed
that some waterways built ancient people were connected with the lines. Johnson
believes that the Nazca lines are a giant map underground water in the area.
{{U}} {{U}} 5 {{/U}} {{/U}} A. A Swiss writer
named Erich von Daniken wrote that the Nazca lines were designed as a landing
place for UFOs. B. Other scientists are now searching for
evidence to prove this. C. Seen from the ground, it looks like
lines scratched into the earth. D. He called Nazca "the largest
astronomy book in the world". E. Scholars differ in
interpreting the purpose of the designs. F. The largest picture
may have been the sites for special ceremonies.