The Nazca geoglyphs of southern Peru were created in multiple phases, not by a single 500 BC–500 AD building campaign. Earlier Paracas-phase examples date to roughly 400–200 BC, while the best-known Nazca-phase lines and figures were made from about 200 BC to 500 AD. Researchers have used radiocarbon analysis of associated organic materials, including wooden stakes, to date parts of the complex. The Nazca were renowned for sophisticated ceramics and complex textiles, maintained irrigated agriculture in one of Earth's driest regions, and produced imagery connected with their religious and cosmological traditions.
Nazca-phase geoglyphs date to about 200 BC–500 AD; Paracas examples reach 400 BC
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Key facts
- The Nazca Lines are a pre-Columbian complex in southern Peru created in multiple phases.
- The Paracas phase is dated to roughly 400–200 BC, while the Nazca phase dates to roughly 200 BC–500 AD.
- Radiocarbon analysis of associated organic materials, including wooden stakes, has been used to date parts of the complex; not every line was dated solely from stakes.
- The Nazca were renowned for sophisticated ceramics and technically complex textiles.
- Nazca geoglyph imagery is connected with their religious and cosmological traditions.
- The Nazca practiced intensive, irrigated agriculture in one of Earth's most arid regions.
Sources
How the Nazca Lines were made | Blog Machu Travel Perumachutravelperu.com
The Nazca lines are said to date back from 200 BC to 500 AD. This was the time when the Nazca people lived in the region. The ancient Nazca ...
Why the Nasca lines are among Peru's greatest mysteriesnationalgeographic.com
The lines drawn in geometric patterns and distinct animal shapes across the Peruvian desert have inspired many theories over the years.
Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpawhc.unesco.org
These lines, which were scratched on the surface of the ground between 500 B.C. and A.D. 500, are among archaeology's greatest enigmas because of their quantity ...
Exploring the Mysteries of the Nazca Lines: Peru's Ancient Geoglyphskuodatravel.com
The Nazca Lines are a series of large designs created by the ancient Nazca culture between 500 BCE and 500 CE in the Pampas de Jumana region of ...
Nazca lines - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
They were created between 500 BC and 500 AD by people making depressions or shallow incisions in the desert floor, removing pebbles and leaving different- ...
Nazca Lines | History, Location, Lima, Spider, & Factsbritannica.com
Most of the Nazca Lines were constructed more than 2,000 years ago by the people of the Nazca culture (c. 200 bce–600 ce), though some clearly predate the Nazca ...
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