Ancient cat 'geoglyph' discovered in Peru

In the ancient times, before the Spanish came to South America, there were many civilizations that created monuments and cities in the Andes mountains and throughout South America. You may have heard of the Incas, one of the main cultures that existed in what is now Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. At the same time in Mexico and Central America there were also many marvellous civilizations such as the Aztecs, Mayas, Zapotecs, Toltecs and Olmecs. However, one of the many interesting groups of ancient peoples in the Americas were the Nazca people who lived in a coastal desert region of Peru. This region is extremely dry and certainly was a difficult to live in, but the Nazca people created many interesting geoglyphs, which are figures or pictures that are carved into the earth by removing the top layer of soil or rock and leaving a different colored layer exposed. The Nazca people created these geoglyphs about 2,000 years ago, and they exist in many different shapes. Recently, archaeologists in Peru discovered a new Nazca geoglyph in the shape of a large cat. The geoglyph is on a steep hillside and wasn't noticed before because the cat shapes was gradually being covered by rocks and dirt, making it difficult to see. There have been many explanations for these ancient figures, including some people who have said that ancient 'astronauts' or extra-terrestrials made these lines and shapes in the earth. Scientists however believe that they were created by ancient people using simple tools and may have had religious or some ceremonial purpose. See the articles and video to learn more!

Nazca Lines: Archaeologists discover 2,000-year-old cat figure in Peru

2,200-year-old depiction of cat uncovered in Peruvian hillside