When you’re walking Peru you’ll find that you can view most of the country’s attractions by foot. However, it isn’t until you’re airborne that you’ll be able to spot Peru’s most unusual attractions; a series of lines, whose origin and purpose still have historians guessing.

What are the Nazca Lines?

The Nazca Lines are a series of gigantic figures engraved into the Peruvian desert surface, that can only been seen from the air. These lines run for 37 miles and comprise of 26 figures that range from llamas and dogs, to spiders, spirals and killer whales. These lines were made by the Nazca people, a civilization that flourished between 200BC and 600AD.

How Were the Nazca Lines Built?

When you’re walking Peru, you’ll find that there is no sand in this area of the Peruvian desert. Instead, the landscape consists of dark-red surface stones, under which lies lighter-coloured subsoil. To make the Nazca Lines, the red surface has been scraped away to reveal the light colour underneath. Scientists believe that the creation of these lines had to be a communal effort stretching out over hundreds of years.

Weren’t they Built by Aliens?

The sheer size of the Nazca Lines, and the fact that no-one really knows the purpose of them has led many to believe that they were in fact built by aliens. Many academics have put forward the notion that the Nazca lines formed an airfield for alien spacecraft. However, this doesn’t really explain why the pictures of a llama, hummingbird and a dog were used, nor does it concern itself with the reason why aliens would need 37 miles of runway to themselves.

The reason that this theory has surfaced is because few people believe that primitive races, like the Aztecs and Mayans, had the tools or intelligence to create such a project. However, the fact that between them these races created the calendar, universal education, popcorn and chocolate should be proof enough that they didn’t however need alien help.

Why Were the Nazca Lines Built?

They may be fascinating to look at on your Peru walking holiday, but no-one really knows why the Nazca Lines were built. There have been various theories and whilst you’ve heard the theory about the alien airfield, academics and anthropologists are still researching what they believe to be the reason for these lines.

When Georg Von Breunig examined the lines, he found that they had been worn by continuous running. This led him to believe that the lines were used for running races in what could possibly have been a ritual for the Gods.

The most common theory is that the lines are in fact some gigantic astronomical calendar that shows various alignments that may have been useful for planting and harvesting purposes.

How Can I See the Nazca Lines?

The lines are located in the Nazca Desert, which is an eight hour bus journey from the capital of Lima. Most people choose to visit the area after they’ve taken a tour of Machu Picchu, or just before walking Peru’s Inca Trail. When you reach Nazca you’ll find that flights over the Nazca Lines are very easy to arrange, as it is the alternative option of taking a hot-air balloon over the desert. With a good pair of binoculars you’ll be able to spot a few of the Nazca Lines from the town’s watchtower, but it’s only from the sky that the true beauty of the Nazca Lines can be experienced. Once seen never forgotten!

Author Bio: Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking Peru with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Category: Travel
Keywords: walking Peru