In this episode of our podcast, we delve into the rich tapestry of ancient Andean societies with Charles Stanish, a prominent scholar whose career has spanned influential roles in archaeology and anthropology. Formerly the Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA, Stanish has also served as the Executive Director of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Culture and the Environment at the University of South Florida. His extensive research into prehistoric societies in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile has significantly advanced our understanding of trade, war, and labor organization in these ancient cultures. In this enlightening discussion, Stanish shifts his focus to the astronomical alignments and geoglyphs of Peru’s Chincha and Nazca Valleys, offering new insights into their cultural and ceremonial significance. Figure 01. The Nasca geoglyphs are massive, intricate designs and linear geoglyphs etched into the Peruvian desert. (Paul Williams / CC BY-SA 2.0 Read moreSection: NewsGeneralHistory & ArchaeologyScienceFolkloreMyths & LegendsAmericasAncient PlacesAmericasUnexplained PhenomenaWeird FactsGuest AuthorsHistoryAncient TraditionsPremiumPreviewRead Later