A monkey, a spider, a hummingbird and hundreds of figures created more than 2,000 years ago make up the largest group of geoglyphs in the world. How were they made with such perfection? What could be the significance of a bird in the middle of the desert? Here, we will give you many of the answers.

It took around 400 years for the discovery made by historian Cieza de León in 1547 to be taken seriously. According to the story, without much success or interest on the part of the scientific community, he saw “signs in some parts of the Nazca desert”. 

The account of this Spaniard was forgotten for years until at the beginning of the 20th century some commercial pilots began to report strange and immense figures in this area of Peru. It was only then that researchers went to investigate, making way for what we know today as the famous Nazca Lines. 

Declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, today it is certain that almost 150 figures exist within 450 square kilometers, reaching a longitude of about 1.300 kilometers of the Peruvian desert. But what are these mysterious formations and who is behind its creation? 

The mystery of the desert 

During more than a decade, American Paul Kosok was completely dedicated to understanding the origin and significance of the strange figures drawn in the Nazca desert. In 1941 when the mathematician, physicist and geographer, María Reiche, joined the investigation six years later, Kosok decided to leave Peru but this woman insisted on solving the enigma between her hands. 

They say that she had to use countless brooms to realize her work; because of this the local people began to circulate the rumor that Reiche was a witch. Little did they know, together with her compass, tape measure and notebook, the brooms became a fundamental part of her discoveries, because they allowed her to uncover thousands of years of gravel that covered the enigmatic lines settled in the sand. 

Completely in love with the desert and obsessed with the idea of trying to understand what was in front of her eyes, this mathematician discovered 70 geoglyphs between 50 and 300 meters in length, developed by the Nazca between 500 a.c. and 500 d.c. Many birds, a monkey, a snail, a lizard, a spider and some geometric representations form part of what you can see from the air today. 

After years of study, the conclusion was made that the figures astronomically determined the climatic calendar of the civilization, and as a base for the development of agricultural activities. Nevertheless , other scientists have added more details to this theory, indicating that the lines also served as religious, cultural and ceremonial expressions.   

With the passing of the years, the discoveries by María Reiche began to become more well-known, generating curiosity amongst people. Many arrived in the area and camped out in the desert, damaging the scientific advances. Because of this, authorities opted to create an observation tower, in which today you can partially observe the geoglyphs closest to the highway. Also, an airfield was created so that the public could fly over the desert and admire the figures from up above. 

An investigation still in process 

Consistently dedicated through the years to investigate the Nazca lines, and generating an immense scientific, touristic and patrimonial legacy to Peru, María Reiche passed away in 1998 at 95 years old. However, the search for new discoveries in the desert did not stop there. 

Between 2016 and 2018, a group of japanese researchers arrived in the area convinced that there was still much more to discover. Utilizing artificial intelligence, they discovered one hundred new formations, and according to them, were developed between 100 a.c. and 200 d.c. 

Today, anyone can witness the largest group of geoglyphs in the world by taking an aerial tour over the Nazca lines. For years these types of services were very scarcely regulated, making way for independent planes without the necessary requirements offering dangerous flights to tourists. However, this situation has changed over time, and the airlines that offer this tour today meet safety standards. 

The Nazca desert has excellent weather, ideal to visit this place at any time of the year. However, the high season is usually between June and August, so it is recommended to book tours ahead of time. 

Would you like to fly over the Nazca lines and be amazed by its incredible and enigmatic figures? Contact us at sales@letsvisitperu.com or reserve a tour online!