The Nazca lines are a peculiar series of ancient patterns and designs that can be found in the Peruvian desert which are only visible from the air.
These ancient figures are made by the ancient tribes of Nazca, who lived in the area from 500 B.C. and 500 A.D., and some consider these designs as the “crop circles” of South America. Just like crop circles, the process to create geoglyphs, and their purpose remains a mystery until today, but the mystery continues with the new discoveries.
Three more huge geoglyphs surfaced on in late July, and they are estimated to be 2000 years old. The new figures were spotted by Eduardo Herrán Gómez de la Torre, a pilot and Nazca lines researcher while he was flying his airplane over the Peruvian desert. The newly found geoglyphs were a figure of a bird, a camel or llama and 200-feet long snake. A recent gale and sandstorm are thought to have revealed the previously unseen ancient designs.
Eduardo Herrán Gómez said that the designs might be one of the creations that the prehistoric culture of Paracas made. The Paracas are well-known for their elegant art and fabric. The culture ruled southern Peru from 800 B.C to 100 B.C and predated the Nazca culture who lately ruled the region during 100 B.C to 800 A.D.. The recent discovery will somehow bring new understanding on the ancient Nazca people.
The Nazca lines stretch about 280 square miles in the coastal plain areas of the Peruvian desert. The UNESCO recognizes it as a World Heritage for its geometrical designs and depiction of animals and plants. Some say that these designs had ritual astronomic functions as they can only be seen up in the air. Famous Nazca lines figures were the hummingbird, orca, spider, shark and the famous waving alien or astronaut friend.
Whatever the Nazca lines purpose are for the ancient inhabitants of Peru, its unrivaled uniqueness and diversity adds up to the magnificent artistic achievements of the prehistoric world. The Nazca lines will continue to capture the imagination of our present world and it will continue to do so in our future.
Say now you know them nazca fellas must a had more time on their hand than those slack jaws standin in lines 3 blocks long and campin out in parkin lots christmas time waitin for the big sale on video game machines…. and some a them guys is from out a state…..
… but not a camel: they never ever saw such a thing. However, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos are all (humpless) camelids and close relatives of the camel. Maybe a llama carrying a pair of ceremonial objects?