The lines and large ground designs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana are examples of the magical and religious world of ancient Peruvian societies. These societies existed between the 8th century BC and the 8th century AD on the arid coastal plains of the river Rio Grande de Nasca – before the Spanish reached America.
The Nasca Lines include 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures and 70 animal and plant designs called biomorphs. Most of the lines were built over 2000 years ago by people of the Nasca culture. The size, variety and quantity of these huge designs called geoglyphs are unmatched by similar works anywhere else in the world.
Peruvian archaeologist Toribio Mejia Xesspe was the first to conduct a detailed study of the Nasca Lines in 1926. But the Lines became public knowledge only after they were observed by pilots flying over Peru in the 1930s. There are different theories about the purpose of the Nasca Lines. After observing the lines from an aeroplane in 1941, American historian Paul Kosok theorized that they were drawn for astronomical uses. They were declared a World Heritage Site in 1994.
Picture Credit : Google
