Aerial photo showing the ventilation holes of the Cantalloc Aqueduct in Nazca, Peru, some 435km south of Lima.

Known as puquios, the holes are located in the Nasca region of Peru — a location famous for gigantic geometric images carved into the landscape.

While the origin of these formations remained unsolved for years, the use of satellite imaging from space has finally been able to provide answers.

Rosa Lasaponara of the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis described the puquios as a “sophisticated hydraulic system constructed to retrieve water from underground aquifers”, reports theBBC.

Ms Lasaponara said the discovery explained how the native people of Nasca were able to survive in a region severely lacking water, and development of plant and animal life.

“What is clearly evident today is that the puquios system must have been much more developed than it appears today,” she said.

“Exploiting an inexhaustible water supply throughout the year the puquios system contributed to an intensive agriculture of the valleys in one of the most arid places in the world.”

The design of the puquios was so effective, many still function today.Source:istock

According to the researcher, the corkscrewing funnels were used to force wind down to a series of underground canals, which then forced water through the system to areas it was needed.

“The puquios were the most ambitious hydraulic project in the Nasca area and made water available for the whole year, not only for agriculture and irrigation but also for domestic needs,” she said.

Ms Lasaponara said the formations proved the Nasca natives, who inhabited the region from 1000BC to AD750, had a vast understanding of the region’s geology and annual variations in water supply.

“The construction of the puquios involved the use of particularly specialised technology,” she said.

“What is really impressive is the great efforts, organisation and co-operation required for their construction and regular maintenance.

“Maintenance was likely based on a collaborative and socially organised system, similar to that adopted for the construction of the famous ‘Nasca lines’ which in some cases are clearly related to the presence of water.”

The findings of the satellite studies will be published in Ancient Nasca World: New Insights from Science and Archaeology later this year.

The Nasca lines are found in the same region as the puquios.Source:istock