"The Nazca Lines /ˈnæzkə/ are a series of ancient geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. They were designated aUNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The high, arid plateau stretches more than 80 kilometres (50 mi) between the towns of Nazcaand Palpa on the Pampas de Jumana about 400 km south of Lima. Although some local geoglyphs resemble Paracas motifs, scholars believe the Nazca Lines were created by the Nazca culture between 400 and 650 AD.[1] The hundreds of individual figures range in complexity from simple lines to stylized hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, fish, sharks, orcas, llamas, and lizards.
The lines are shallow designs made in the ground by removing the ubiquitous reddish pebbles and uncovering the whitish ground beneath. Hundreds are simple lines or geometric shapes; more than seventy are zoomorphic designs of animals such as birds, fish, llamas, jaguar, monkey, or human figures. Other designs include phytomorphic shapes such as trees and flowers. The largest figures are over 200 metres (660 ft) across. Scholars differ in interpreting the purpose of the designs, but in general they ascribe religious significance to them.
Due to the dry, windless, and stable climate of the plateau and its isolation, for the most part the lines have been preserved. Extremely rare changes in weather may temporarily alter the general designs."
The reason for creating such lines is still an archaeological mystery. The lines was discovered after the invention of the plane, where they could observe the line from the sky. Fortunately, Nazca desert was one of the driest place on earth, hence, these lines are preserved.
Small plane for viewing the Nazca Lines
Our plane. The smallest plane I ever sat - 2 pilots & 4 passengers.
My dream of being a pilot was fulfilled.
First time in the cockpit!
Ariel view of Nazca.
Paid US$110 for 30mins flight.
An Aussie couple in their 50s were on the same flight as us. The husband is a teacher and they have traveled to 89 countries already. That's very impressive.
There are many interesting lines.
More interesting lines.
To appreciate it further, these lines have been around for more than 1500 years.
Whale!
Astronaut from far.
Close-up.
My favourite - Monkey.
(I can't imagine such interesting lines were created 1500 years ago)
Dog.
Humming Bird.
Spider
Condor
Tree (on the top left) & Hands - smaller figures.
This give us a perspective of the scale of these figures.
Close-up of the Tree figure.
If you observe closely, the lines was created by removing the reddish stones & pebbles to expose the white ground. It is quite simple.
Tree.
One of the hill, the trail is white as the pebbles and stones are removed.
It was very serene to listen to the soft breeze in this desert.
"Maria Reiche (1903–1998) was a German-born mathematician, archaeologist, and technical translator who is notable for her research in the Nazca Lines in Peru, beginning in 1940, and her success in gaining recognition and preservation of the property. She helped educate people about the resource and gain government recognition and preservation. In 1995 the Nazca Lines were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site."
My guide told me that people from Nazca are very grateful towards Maria for devoting her life to research the Nazca lines. Because of her persistence, she published a book about Nazca which made it famous. She really devoted her life to this research - she died single (never married) and away from family. Her passion is impressive.
Her work place.
My friends asked me "What kind of food do eat in Peru?"
Street Photo
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