Anthropology

How did we miss them?

MICHELLE STARR 6 APR 2018

Archaeologists in Peru have made a stunning discovery: over 50 previously unknown Nazca lines - and some of them are centuries older than the most famous of these magnificent desert drawings.

Most of these mysterious geoglyphs were created by the Nazca people, who lived in the area from 200 to 700 CE. But the researchers believe that some of the newfound ones were created even earlier - by the Paracas and Topará people, who lived there around 500 BCE to 200 CE.

The lines have been a source of fascination and wonder for decades. Created by pushing aside the top layer of red desert pebbles to reveal the pale layer underneath, these geoglyphs span vast tracts of the Nazca Desert, between the towns of Nazca and Palpa.

Some of them form geometric shapes, some are simple lines, and some are combined into elaborate depictions of animals and objects.

More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/over-50-new-nazca-lines-peru-desert-paracas-topara