A remarkable discovery has emerged from the arid landscape of southern Peru: a newly identified geoglyph of a feline figure etched into the slopes of a hillside in the Nazca desert. This previously undocumented figure was uncovered during an emergency conservation project titled “Cleaning, Conservation and Restoration of the Geoglyphs of the Mirador Natural, Nazca,” which aimed to preserve the area’s fragile heritage.
The discovery occurred in January 2020, when researchers were modifying a tourist viewpoint. While surveying the terrain, they noticed a series of lines on a nearby slope that appeared unnatural. Upon capturing drone imagery and processing the photographs, a feline-shaped geoglyph was identified. By November 2020, the figure had been fully cleaned and conserved, revealing its striking features.
This geoglyph had long escaped detection for a number of reasons. Its location—on a slope that is seldom visited—meant few had observed it closely. Over time, erosion and falling stones had partially obscured the lines, hiding the feline from view. Only through modern aerial technology and meticulous conservation work could its form be restored and appreciated.
Based on stylistic analysis, the geoglyph has been dated to approximately 200 BC, making it significantly older than the more famous Nazca Lines, which are thought to have been created between 100 BC and AD 800. This places the feline within the timeline of the Paracas culture, known for its complex textiles and ceremonial art. The feline is also contemporaneous with over 50 similar geoglyphs previously documented in the Palpa region and other nearby sites along Peru’s southern coast.
The feline figure measures about 37 meters in length, and is believed to represent a Pampas cat, a species still found in the region today. Known locally as the Andean cat or spotted cat, this animal is prominent in Paracas iconography and appears frequently in the material culture of the time. The Pampas cat, with its distinctive long tail and spotted body, held symbolic significance. In the religious cosmology of the Paracas people, it is thought to have represented a deity of the earth, complementing other mythological creatures like the killer whale (water) and condor (air).
Creating such a geoglyph would have required precision and perseverance. Archaeologists estimate that a small team of three or four individuals could have completed it within ten days, using basic tools to remove surface stones and expose the lighter ground beneath. Though seemingly simple, this process demanded deep planning and an understanding of perspective, especially when working on sloped terrain.
The discovery of this geoglyph is significant not only for its age and artistic style, but also because it reaffirms the Nazca region’s richness in prehistoric iconography. As conservation efforts continue and aerial technologies improve, researchers hope to identify additional geoglyphs, shedding further light on the beliefs and cultural expressions of ancient Andean societies. This feline figure stands as a testament to their enduring legacy and sophisticated relationship with the natural and spiritual worlds.
