2000-year-old cat discovered in Peru

 

The figure of a relaxing cat has been discovered in the Nazca desert in Peru.

The Nazca lines, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to designs on the ground – known as Geoglyphs – created 2000 years ago.

Scientists believe that this cat was created by making depressions in the desert floor leaving coloured earth exposed.  The cat then went noticed until plans were recently drawn up for anew path leading to an observation platform which would have provided a vantage point for visitors to see many of the other geoglyps.

Johny Isla, Peru’s chief archaeologist for the Nazca lines confirmed and said: “ the cat pre-dates the Nazca culture, which created most of the figures from 200 to 700AD. The cat he said was actually from the late Paracas era, which was from 500 BC to 200 AD.  He further said :“ We know that from comparing iconographies, Paracas textiles for example shows birds, cats and people that are easily comparable to these groglyphs”.

A spokesman for the Peru’s culture ministry said: “ The figure was scarcely visible and was about to disappear as it was situated on a quite a steep slope that’s prone to the effects of natural erosion. The Geoglyph, is about 37m (120 ft) long, has been cleaned and conserved over the past week.”