The Nazca Lines in Ancient Peru
Learn about the famous Nazca Lines, ancient geoglyphs in Peru. Located in the heart of the Peruvian desert, they are among history's greatest mysteries!
Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank
Puzzling Lines
Situated in southern Peru, the Nazca Lines have puzzled scholars and intrigued travelers for centuries. Carved into the arid landscape by the ancient Nazca culture (and even some by the Paracas culture), these geoglyphs span vast expanses, forming intricate shapes and patterns visible only from the sky. There are even animals, birds, and flowers.
Nazca Lines, c. 500 BCE–500 CE, geoglyphs in the Nazca Desert, Peru
But what secrets do these lines hold? Who built the Nazca lines? Are they ancient astronomical calendars, messages to the gods, or perhaps pathways for ceremonial processions?
This video addresses some of the most compelling theories surrounding these captivating creations. From the iconic Spider Nazca Lines to the mysterious geometric figures, each glyph speaks to the Nasca people and their remarkable ingenuity.
Note: An alternative spelling for Nazca is Nasca.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction to the Nazca Lines in ancient Peru
0:31 Nasca civilization on Peru’s south coast
0:56 Earthworks and geoglyphs
1:45 Subject matter of the Nasca Lines
2:19 Focus on the hummingbird geoglyph
2:55 The reasons for making the Nazca Lines and ongoing mysteries 3
:50 Possibility of ritual pilgrimage
4:12 Making the Nazca Lines
4:37 Climate change and UNESCO World Heritage status
Learn more
Learn more about the Ancient Andes.
Explore resources about South America.
