The Nazca civilization of Peru was one of the most advanced of its day. They developed advanced farming methods that allowed them to build an irrigation system, improve their crops, and expand the area of land they could farm. Over the next 1,500 years, they also developed outstanding skills in weaving, pottery, and architecture. But, perhaps the most fascinating of their cultural achievements was the creation of remarkable ground art. The lines of Nazca are a variety of geometrical figures, trapezoids, triangles and lines, plus animal and bird figures of hummingbirds, a whale, a monkey, a spider (shown here), a bird likened to a pelican, another like a condor, and one called the astronaut. They range in size up to 1000 ft (300m) across and were originally thought to be the remains of irrigation lines beyond the verdant Nazca valley. It wasn't until they were seen from the air that the lines were recognizable as figures, but how and why the Nazca coordinated such efforts remains a mystery.

AGE: 400-700 A.D.

CONDITION: Slightly frayed and obviously fragmentary, but intact and stable. Presented in a deep frame that can be placed on a table or hung according to your tastes.