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The legend tells that once upon a time, a woman who lamented her lover's
death cried a tear and created this oasis in the middle of the desert. "Huaca"
in Quechua language means "holy place" and "china"
means woman. It is recommended to visit the oasis especially when
the sun sets because then the view can be enjoyed from a nice restaurant
on the edge of the oasis. The sand dunes around the oasis
are a popular destination for both sandboarding and walks.
Theories about the nature of this archaeological site vary among scientists.
Due to the trapezoid shaped door, it is possible that this adobe complex
could have originated in Inca times under Pachacútex. Whether
it was a city or a fortress nobody really knows. Artefacts have been found at Tambo Colorado, which can be visited in the small archaeological museum on site. Tambo Colorado still retains enough residual paint on its stucco walls to be able to determine its colour and decoration and is definitely worth a visit.
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Nazca lies approximatly 350 km South of Lima. It is particularly famous
for the mysterious Nazca Lines, which have been declared a
World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. On an area of 50 x 15
km in the barren dessert, hundreds of lines of different
length create geometric figures and designs of animals.
Not only is the perfect harmony and the geometric balance of these
geoglyphs amazing but also their dimensions,
which can only be fully appreciated when viewed from a plane. The design
of an ape for instance has an extension of 135 m and a hummingbird geoglyph extends for 300 m in length.
Numerous legends and stories and just as many scientific
theories are spun upon these lines. Their secret nevertheless remains
unrevealed. Some believe in a communications system with the gods,
others believe it is a landing place for aliens, although a common theory is that they were ritual procession routes in order to gain favour from ancient gods. The German
scientist Maria Reiche dedicated her whole life to the examination
of these lines and contributed to the wider understanding of the Nazca lines. She suggested the most
accepted theory, that the lines and figures
were used as a giant calender by an ancient Peruvian culture.
The most important astronomic events such as beginning of summer
and winter, midsummers eve, harvest etc, were recorded here. The
giant bird for instance is also known as the "Announcer of
the Inti Raymi". If you sit down on its head on 20 and 21 Juni
(day of Inti Raymi, midwinter) and look in the direction of its
great beak, the sun will rise exactly at its point.
These geoglyphs, which are astonishingly well preserved due to the
climate, were created by the Nazca
culture between 300 and 900 AD and if they are calandar type forms then this could be considered to be the biggest astromony
book in the world.
The best time to fly over these incredibly awe-inspiring desert designs
is the early morning because then the light falls at a good angle so as to define the designs.
The geoglypghs are also well defined in the late afternoon, but in the afternoon
the journey can disturbed by thermal currents and desert winds.
In 1994 the small museum 'Museo Maria Reiche' was opened close to the lines
at the spot where Maria Reiche used to live in order to do her studies
of the lines.
Maria Reiche Planetarium at the Hotel Nazca Lines
The planetarium opened in May 2000 and is run by Edgardo Azabache
and Enrique Levano. Both speak English and Italian, Azabache also
speaks French, and every evening they give lectures about the Nazca
lines based on Maria Reiche's research and theories about the lines and their
astrological and archeological implications. The lecture takes about 45 min after which
the visitor gets the opportunity to watch the moon, stars and planets
through the high-standard telescope.
Hours of lectures: 6.45 pm and 8.45 pm
Admission: $6 (U.S.) - students $3
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