Some are so large they can only be recognized from the air. They've survived nearly 2,000 years in one of the driest places on Earth — and no one is entirely sure why they're there.
Discovery
The Nazca Lines are a collection of hundreds of massive geoglyphs etched into the desert plateau of southern Peru, roughly 400 kilometers south of Lima. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, they were first documented by archaeologist Toribio Mejía Xesspe in 1927. The lines depict animals including hummingbirds, monkeys, spiders, and condors, alongside complex geometric shapes, some spanning nearly 900 feet. Researchers generally date them to between the 4th and 7th centuries CE, attributed to the Nazca culture.
How They've Survived
The lines were created by removing reddish surface stones to reveal lighter-colored ground beneath. The region's extremely dry, stable climate and minimal wind or rain have preserved them largely intact for centuries.
Leading Theories
Archaeologists and researchers have proposed several explanations, none conclusively proven: that the lines held religious significance, potentially created to be visible to deities; that they functioned as an astronomical calendar, marking solar and celestial events similar in concept to sites like Stonehenge, though this theory has also faced significant scholarly pushback for lacking strong supporting evidence; that they indicated underground water sources relevant to irrigation, given the region's many ancient wells; or that they were connected to textile-making traditions in the region, an idea most scholars have not accepted.
How They Were Made
Researchers believe the Nazca used simple survey tools and wooden stakes, some of which have been found at the ends of certain lines, to plot the designs accurately using ground-level techniques rather than aerial views — suggesting the shapes were designed to be planned mathematically rather than viewed from above during construction, even though they're now best appreciated from the air.
Fringe Theories
Some popular claims attribute the lines to ancient extraterrestrial visitors, pointing to long, straight lines resembling runways. Mainstream archaeology does not support this theory; the "runway" lines are consistent with other astronomical or ceremonial line-making found elsewhere in Nazca culture, and there is no physical evidence supporting extraterrestrial involvement.
FAQ
Who created the Nazca Lines?
The Nazca culture, likely between the 4th and 7th centuries CE, though the exact purpose remains debated.
Is there any evidence aliens created the Nazca Lines?
No. This is a popular fringe claim without archaeological support.
Why have the lines survived so long?
The region's extremely dry, stable climate with minimal rain or wind has preserved them for nearly two millennia.