When you think of Peru and ancient civilizations most people would automatically

imagine the famous Incas, with their ruined cities and of course Machu Picchu.

However, they definitely were not the first ancient people to create breathtaking
monuments that have stood the test of time! Around 2000 years ago, well before
the rise of the Inca’s, on Peru’s western lowlands lived the Nazca people.

Not only did they manage to survive in their dry and desolate desert environment,
but they managed to thrive! Creating the biggest religious works known to
mankind, The Amazing Nazca Lines!

There is no other way to describe them except for being absolutely spectacular!
Somewhat ironically, given they were created by a people with no concept of
human flight, they are best seen from the air.

Stretching across the desert about 400km south of Lima in Peru are the Nazca
Lines, the largest collection of geoglyphs in the world. These enormous artworks
in the desert vary in complexity, from simple lines and geometric shapes to
zoomorphic designs of animals, such as birds, fish, llamas, jaguars, and
monkeys, or human figures, over 70 in fact!

The designs are made in the ground by removing the reddish pebbles and
uncovering the whitish ground beneath and durability of the lines is related to the
climate of the region.

The Nazca Lines were created between 500 BCE and 500 CE. It is believed that
the majority were created by the ancient Nazca people, hence the name, but it’s
been found that some lines predate even them. The lines were discovered by
Peruvian archaeologist Toribio Mejia Xesspe in 1927 who believed the lines to be
part of an ancient sacred road system.

Then, in 1939, the American scientist Paul Kosok carried out some research at
the site. Kosok and archaeologist Maria Reiche, declares the lines an
astronomical observatory for solstices and other celestial events. Swiss historian
Henri Stierlin believed them to have played a role in the fabrication of ancient
textiles and Erich von Daniken, who believe that the lines served as an alien
landing strip.
Reinhard believed these were sacred paths leading to ceremonial sites where
water deities can be worshipped.
Reinhard and Anthony Aveni, saw the Nazca ecosystem, located in a region
that only receives 20 minutes of rain a year and their studies clearly show that
straight lines and trapezoids are related to water, but they were not used to find
water, but were used in connection with rituals.
It is currently the most accepted theory. Although many conclude that the lines
were perhaps multifunctional,
Today the Nazca Lines, protected as a UNESCO, are largely in danger from
changing global climate patterns and from human development.

In my opinion, it really is absolutely fantastic. These are images I’ve seen in

documentaries and National Geographic since I was a kid, so to see them for
myself was something else! 
I hope that people respect and understand the importance of this beautiful
cultural vestige and don’t continue to damage it