Nazca religion is based off the idea that man and nature are relate in an active sacred relationship with themes of Animatism and supernatural forces controlling nature and their resources (all they wanted to do was control and understand). Many theorists believe that this practice came about due to the harsh environment they lived in (a weather average so diverse that they only could give me averages based on longitude and latitude). These beliefs are so strong that there are religious representations in their beautiful ceramic artwork. Their artwork incorporated their need for Animatisms and their need to control nature because of supernatural forces inverting need to control nature. They had mythical beings are made up of representations of air, earth, and water; these beings were the most powerful forces.
The ritual taking of the Trophy Heads were an important aspect of Nazca religion. This is assumed because of how pervasive the trophy heads are in ceramic artwork. These trophy heads are soon with individuals that are closely linked with mythical beings, and scenes of warfare and rituals. The bloodshed, decapitation, and group burials are closely linked to agriculture fertility and regeneration. Examples of this are when the heads are depicted with plants growing from their mouths. “Nazca people appear to have visualized a continuity between sacrifice and death, the burial of human trophy heads, and the regeneration of agricultural plants. Human trophy heads were not only the most sacred offering made to the nature spirits, but were integral part of their world view". (Donald A. Proulx)
References
Proulx, Donald A. 2000, Nasca Ceramic Iconography: An Overview. 29(1):36-43. The Studio Potter.
Proulx, Donald A. 1999, The Nazca Culture: An Introduction. 59-77. Nasca: Gehimnisvolle Zeichen im Alten Peru. (photo is Figure 15).
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