5 Facts You Should Know About the Nasca Lines

The Nasca Lines are a series of geoglyphs, or lines scratched in the ground, and only visible from above. They depict geometric, anthropomorphic, and plant shapes as big as 300 meters across.

The Nasca Lines Are a World Heritage Site

In 1944, UNESCO declared as a World Heritage Site for their mysterious existence, size, shape, and hidden astronomical functions. Despite the strong winds and rains that hit the site, the lines are never erased.as

The Location of the Nasca Lines

This famous archaeological site is located 25 kilometers from the city of Nasca within the region of Ica and 8 hours from the Lima. The lines cover a total area of 750 kilometers.

The Discovery of the Nasca Lines

The first recorded mention of the lines occurred in 1547 by Cieza de Leon, a famous Spanish chronicler and historian. He said that he saw the lines in the Nasca Desert. However, the discovery of the lines didn’t hit mainstream news until 1927 when aviators spotted the lines while flying over the area.

How Were the Nasca Lines Made?

Although it’s been agreed that the  Lines are the creation of the Nasca Culture (200 A.D. to 600 A.D.), there is still a cloud of mystery around how they were created. We don’t know what tools they used to create lines that never fade.

The Purpose of the Lines

There are several theories around what the  Lines were used for. The theories that carry the most weight include:

1. They were an enormous book of astronomy.
2. They were an offering to the gods.
3. They were a solar and lunar calendar (as proposed by historian Maria Reiche).

The Nasca Lines Are Only Visible from the Air

The Nasca Lines can only be seen via a flyover. Hop on an aircraft for a 35-minute flight over the Lines. It usually costs around $80 USD per passenger plus a 30 soles fee to be paid at the airport.

The Nasca Lines are one of humanity’s greatest historical mysteries next to the pyramids of Egypt and the citadel of Machu Picchu. Don’t miss the opportunity to fly over these enigmatic lines on your trip to Peru. For more information, please contact us.