Which ancient civilization created the Nazca Lines in southern Peru?

The Nazca culture created the Nazca Lines in southern Peru.

The geoglyphs were made mainly between about 500 BCE and 500 CE by removing the dark, weathered surface stones of the desert to expose lighter ground beneath. They form huge straight lines, geometric shapes and recognizable figures, including a hummingbird, spider, monkey and condor.

The lines are concentrated on the Nazca Plateau and nearby desert areas. Their exceptional preservation is partly due to the region’s extreme dryness, limited rainfall and lack of strong winds. Many figures are easiest to appreciate from the air, although researchers can also study them from surrounding hills and modern paths.

The Nazca Lines are sometimes attributed to the Inca because the Inca later ruled parts of the Andes. However, the geoglyphs predate the Inca Empire by many centuries. Their exact purposes remain debated, with proposed interpretations involving ritual movement, water and ceremonial landscapes.