Nazca lines a Pre-Inka Cemetry Visit and Cantallo Aqueducts

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The Nazca Lines, the cemetery of Chauchilla and the Cantallo Aqueducts

Our flight over the Nazca Lines
The plane was super tiny, only a 4 seater, including the pilot. Nervously we sat waiting for airport control to allow us to take off, Then we raced down the runway and gently lifted into the air, oh my goodness the view around us and below was extraordinary. The dry landscape, crops of mountains and evidence of past rivers flowing was a superb sight. The Unesco World Heritage Site of 500sqkm of rock-strewn plain, Nazca lines, 800 of them, 300 geometric figures and 70 animal and plant drawings we were floating above. These lines were made from the removal of rocks, exposing the lighter soil below it. Due to the climate and weather conditions very little erosion occurs. Lots of theories try to explain why and how they are here, but really nobody really knows. It is thought they were made by the Nazca and Paracas cultures between 900BC and 600AD. It was a great ride flying over these ancient lines and saw 10 drawings. However the trip was rather nauseating for me, the turning of the plane produced unbelievable pressure and twisted my stomach, a few moments more and it could’ve been a messy experience!

Cantallo Aqueducts
These aqueducts were built around 1800 years ago for people to access the running water flowing beneath the ground. The spiral shape allowed safe access, built by huge stones from the nearby river bed. There were about 17 of these, most of which were still in good standing order, a few had crumbled in recent earthquakes. The scenery around us included fields of potato plants, cacti and mountains. From here we saw the Worlds Highest sand dune - Cero Blanco, over 2000m high! It towers the land like the mountains it sits with.

Chuchilla Cemetery
This cemetery was full of skulls, bones and mummies sat in dug out, uncovered graves. They were quite spooky, sitting there wrapped in cloth, still with hair attached to their skulls and their bodies curled up in a foetal position like the day they were buried.

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Photos

ready to go up!
Only a 4 seater.

So many aqueducts.
I found these fasinating. What an inventive way to get water from an underground stream!

Comments

[mum dad]

Hola
All looks so good not sure about the buggy rides its going to be hard to leave it all behind but so much to remember.and new friends made. I must admit looking forward to seeing you both and hearing all the adventure that goes with the pics.the weather here is hot so keeping your tan topped up no problem...speak to you soon take care xx