Why did the pre-Incan Nazca Indians carve long mysterious
grooves in the Peruvian desert, lines that form enormous
outlines of animals, spirals, zigzags and parallels? The fact
that many patterns are clearly distinguishable only when
viewed from the air led Erich von Daniken to claim that
the Nazca lines were a landing strip for UFOs. According
to the author, Hadingham, argues that some of the patterns
were aids to shamanistic practice, others were fertility sym-
bols, still others were markers linking holy spots. His throughly
documented, beautifully written and richly illustrated account
is must reading for anyone intrigued by this enigma.