A team of researchers studying the famed Nazca Lines in Peru believe that they have solved the mystery of why the drawings were created and, alas, it does not involve aliens. The potential breakthrough was announced in a press release from a group known as Salvar Nazca, which has been studying the designs over the last eight years. Although they plan to present their complete findings at a cultural tourism conference in Cordoba, Spain next month, the collective consisting of archaeologists, engineers, and historians confidently declared that they have made "one of the greatest discoveries in the world of archaeology at an international level."

Specifically, the group says that the Nazca Lines were not drawings meant to be seen by visitors coming to our planet from another world, but "a complex system of channels for the irrigation of vast extensions of the desert, a pre-Inca technique already known as water harvesting." This arrangement, they argue, "had the objective of controlling it and taking advantage of it in the different seasons of the year in the face of such changing humidity conditions in that region." Why, exactly, the irrigation system consisted of various different shapes and animal depictions goes unanswered in the group's announcement, but hopefully this matter will be addressed when they detail their conclusions next month.

While their determination may be met with some skepticism until further details are revealed, engineer and Salvar Nazca leader Carlos Hermida indicated that their solution to the mystery will be bolstered by "numerous and conclusive proofs." Clearly not lacking in confidence, he also declared that the discovery of the irrigation system could ultimately "save millions of lives around the world." Considering the vast array of ancient mysteries that have been said to be solved only for the solution to subsequently fall apart, one would be wise to wait until further information from the group becomes available before closing the book on the Nazca Lines.