Nazca Civilization
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The Nazca civilization was a pre-Columbian civilization that flourished in the southern coastal region of present-day Peru between the 1st and 8th centuries AD. They are best known for their intricate geoglyphs, or large designs and images etched into the desert floor, which can only be seen fully from the air. The Nazca people were skilled farmers and engineers, and developed a sophisticated system of underground aqueducts, or "puquios," to bring water from the mountains to their crops, Nazca culture is characterized by ceramics and textiles that are considered among the finest of pre-Columbian art. They have a wide variety of motifs, including animals, people and geometric shapes. Nazca ceramics are also noted for their bright colors, achieved through the use of mineral pigments, and for their realistic portrayals of animals and humans. Their textiles are also known for their quality and the use of various techniques such as embroidery, painting, and weaving, The Nazca civilization was a complex society with a hierarchical political and religious system. They had a theocracy, with a powerful ruler at the top who was both a religious and political leader. The Nazca people were also deeply religious and built a number of ceremonial centers and shrines, as well as burying their dead in elaborate Tombs, The Nazca civilization was succeeded by the Wari culture, but their legacy lived on through their art and technology, which greatly influenced later Andean cultures.