Track on an area of 450 square kilometers near the current cities of Palpa and Nazca, in southern Peru, the Nazca Lines are a series of lines with geometric shapes and well defined zoomorphes, declared in 1994 Cultural Heritage of HumanityUNESCO.
A 180 meters long lizard, a monkey with the extravagant curled tail, a condor with the wings opening of 135 meters, a hummingbird, a 42 meters spider: they are not monstrous creatures created by the imagination of a science fiction writer, but some of the incredible subjects engraved in the desert Peru.
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The discovery of the Nazca Lines
The first news you have on Nazca Lines date back to 1927, when Peruvian archaeologist Mejía Xespe collected documentation on geoglyphs. In 1939 the American scientist Paul Kosok, flying south of Peru, completed some investigations, but the most extensive studies began in 1946 when German mathematics Maria Reiche He was so excited about the mystery to devote his whole life to the study and observation of the lines.
The Nazca Lines they gave rise to an incredible amount of theories, from the tracks and signals for the landing of alien spaceships, to the ritual paths that the ancient inhabitants of Nazca would follow on board of balloons, up to the astronomical calendar, that the same German mathematics mortgaged. An article of National Geographic It also suggests that the Nazcas worshipped water and that the lines were built to celebrate the deities of water.
Whatever their origin and the period in which they were traced (presumably in a time span between 500 BC. and the 500 AD), of course is that the Lines are an impressive show, especially for the accuracy and variety of their designs. And the fact that their meaning is still wrapped in mystery, it only increases their charm.
So far more than thirty figures have been identified with forms of marine and terrestrial animals, as well as geometric and human silhouettes. Those more easily visible and observable by the tourist for their size are the spider of 42 meters, whose structure makes to think of a prehistoric arachnid, the lizard of 180 meters, the monkey a hundred meters long, with a huge coiled tail, the condor with wings explained (135 meters) and a bird in which some see the gigantography of a hummingbird, whose beak measures 100 meters.
Next to these representations, undoubtedly fascinating, there is a quantity of other beautiful and sometimes strange designs: dogs, giant birds, whales, snakes with multiple heads, unknown animals, objects unknown by indescribable forms.
Flight to Nazca Lines
The only way to admire all these wonderful and enigmatic lines is to fly over the area with a touristic flight, addressing the many local agencies that carry out this service. The Flight on Nazca Lines is one of the most exciting experiences that can be done Peru.
Tours generally begin at the airfield of Maria Reiche in Nazca, where before takeoff a film is projected explanatory on the Lines. The flight on board a small tourist airplane lasts from 45 minutes to 1 hour plus 15 minutes, during which you can admire the most famous figures of hummingbirds, lizards, spiders, monkeys and more.
To admire the Nazca Lines from a different perspective you can then head towards Mirador of Nazca Lines, located along the Panamericana highway, overlooking a couple of figures. The best time? Of course. just before sunset, to admire a panorama that will literally leave you breathless.
To learn more about the many mysteries that envelop the site of Nazca, do not miss the visit totheObservatory Maria Reiche, at the Hotel Nazca Lines, the same as the famous archaeologist who spent most of his life devotesI am to theThe study Lines. Periodic conferences are also held here by researchers on the history ofthe discovery of the lines at the beginning of the 20th century and on their interpretation.
Civilization Nazca
South of the Nazca Lines archaeologists are bringing to light the remains of the ancient city of Cahuachi which contains clues about the mystery of the Nazca Lines. It is believed to be was an important ceremonial center of Civilization Nazca with numerous large adobe pyramids.
To this population we owe superb underground aqueduct system still worksnti, which were used continuously for several centuries. You can see next to a farm and a field of cactus irrigated by these particular water systems that present a spiral scheme that facilitates access to water several meters below ground.
Co Cahuachi ceremonial center He hosted rituals related to agriculture, fertility and water. For unknown factors the construction dthe city suddenly interrupted and the place it was forgottenor. Popular theory suggests that the collapse of the center was the result of environmental damage or panandin drought.
Appena outside city you find the Chauchilla cemetery, that makes light onthe funerary traditions of the ancient Civilization pre-Incaica. Although many tombs s♪no have been plundered over the centuries, there is still much to see, including some mummies and well preserved skeletons due to the aridity of the area.
With a temperature around 25° C throughout the season, the desert desertor Nazca is in fact one of the places more arid than Earth. And it's just almost total absence of wind that you helped maintain intact over the centuries his lines of humour, spiders, monkeys, sharks, lizardand and I'll give it to you. Other figures that feed the mystery of the Nazca Lines.
