Monday, August 24, 2009

NAZCA LINES

The Nazca Lines are a series of giant drawings (sketched onto the earth) that exist in the Nazca Desert of western Peru. They date back to 200 BC–AD 700, and were created by the Nasca society that inhabited southern Peru at the time. There are hundreds of individual drawings, that range from simple lines to more complex but very stylized plants, animal and human figures, the largest of which is about 900 feet long (!)

They were accidentally discovered in 1927 by a plane in flight. No one really knows what the drawings were used for, although many believe them to be of a spiritual/religious nature. One theory is that the drawing were intended to point towards locations on the horizon where the sun, moon, stars rose and set.

The interesting thing, is that these ancient artists couldn't have possibly seen the entirety of some of these drawings--which can only be seen as a whole from high above.

I haven't traveled to Peru yet, but between Macchu Pichu and the Nazca lines...I'm so intrigued! MIght have to tap into my Sky Mile reserve...

PLUS, is anyone as drawn to that bird's feet as I am?? So odd and adorable at the same time!

No comments:

Post a Comment