Like the Paracas culture to the north, the ancient Nazca culture was lost in the drifting desert sands until this century. In 1901, Peruvian archaeologist Max Uhle excavated the Nazca sites and realized that he had uncovered a distinct coastal culture. The Nazca culture appeared as a result of the disintegration of the Paracas civilization, around 200 AD, and lasted until about 800 AD. The designs on the Nazca ceramics depict their plants and animals, their fetishes and divinities, their musical instruments and household items, and the people themselves. The early Nazca ceramics are very colorful and have a greater variety of naturalistic designs than later periods. Pots with double necks joined by a stirrup handle were common, as were shallow cups and plates. In the late period, the decoration was more formalized with geometric shapes representing animals and people.

Places to Stay

Hotel Cantayo - Panamericana Sur km. 450 Desvío a Puquio km. 3.50 Ica - Nazca - Peru Phone: (056) 52-2264 Fax: (056) 52-2283
Las Lineas Hotel - Arica 299 Ica - Nazca - Peru Phone: (056) 52-2488
Hotel De La Borda - Carretera Panamericana Sur km. 448 Fundo Majoro Ica - Nazca - Peru Phone: (056) 52-2750 Fax: (056) 52-2750
San Marcelo Hotel - Car. Panamericana Sur km. 444 Ica - Nazca - Peru Phone: (056) 52-3183 Fax: (056) 52-3183
La Maison Suisse Hotel - Carretera Panamericana Sur km 447 Vista Alegre, Ica - Nazca - Peru Phone: (01) 444-2140
Nazca Lines Hotel - Jr. Bolognesi 147 Ica - Nazca - Peru Phone: (056) 52-2293 Fax: (056) 52-2112
Hotel Alegria
Posada Guadalupe
Hostal Via Morburg
Hotel Estrella del Sur
Hotel Las Lineas
Hotel El Mirador

Places to Visit

Cantolla Aqueducts
Antonini Museum