The geoglyphs of Nazca or "Nazca Lines" are a series of geometric shapes, extended lines that run for miles, and large drawings of animal figures (some as large as a football field) constructed on the desert floor in the Nazca region. A large number of people over an extended period of time could have constructed the lines.

Below, you can see the image of the Nazca spider taken from the air. For what purpose do you think that this might have been created?

Researchers have demonstrated techniques to see how this was done. By extending a rope between two posts and removing the red pebbles on the desert surface along the rope, the lines could be constructed. The contrast of the red desert pebbles and the lighter earth beneath would make the lines visible from a high altitude. Due to the simplistic construction of the geoglyphs, regular amounts of rainfall would have easily eroded the drawings but the dry desert environment has preserved the lines for hundreds of years.

Several theories have been posited as to why the Nazca Lines exist, but the true meaning of the geoglyphs remains a mystery.

Watch the short video below to get an idea of some of the theories regarding the purpose of the Nazca lines.