Nazca Lines

Two hours from Ica, there are more than 50 km of desert that were covered hundreds of years ago by monumental drawings in the earth, enormous figures representing mammals, insects and Gods. The Nazca Lines gained their name after their discovery in 1927, they are amongst the most amazing remains left by a civilization prominent 300 years before the Christian period. Owing to the gigantic scale and complexity of the designs they can really only be appreciated from the air at an altitude of at least 1,500 feet. Many theories exist about the origins of the lines for example that the area would have served as a runway for alien craft others have suggested that they can make out a massive seismograph in the lines. However the most likely is what the German Maria Reiche, who spent most of her life studying the lines, has suggested; that the lines may be a giant astronomical calendar with the figures marking out important periods or solar phases. The naturally occurring plaster found in the area has helped stabilize the celebrated images: the humming bird, spider, condor, monkey that help make up more than 30 images. The lines like embroidery of the gods over deserted lands have been declared a Human Cultural Heritage site and we are still waiting for the answer to the mystery that these extraordinary figures hide.