UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO Heritage
Nazca lines
Peru

Nazca lines

Large geoglyphs on Peru's desert plateau.

Location

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Historical Context

About

The Nazca Lines are a series of large geoglyphs etched into the soil of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. Created between 400 BCE and 500 CE, these lines were made by removing the top layer of reddish-brown pebbles to reveal lighter-colored earth beneath. The geoglyphs include hundreds of simple lines and geometric shapes, along with more than 70 zoomorphic designs such as hummingbirds, spiders, and monkeys. These figures are best viewed from the air, suggesting a significant understanding of large-scale design by their creators. While the purpose of the Nazca Lines is still debated, prevailing theories suggest they had religious and astronomical significance. The arid climate and isolation of the plateau have aided in the preservation of these enigmatic lines, which continue to capture the interest of archaeologists and researchers worldwide.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Visual Archive

Gallery

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Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Nazca phase geoglyphs

200 BCE - 500 CE

Paracas phase geoglyphs

400-200 BCE

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Artistic and Decorative Features

Geoglyphs
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference

Details

Country

Peru

Coordinates

-14.70° N, -75.14° E