Truck driver plows into Peru’s 2,000-year-old archeological enigma

Peru’s world renowned Nazca Lines were damaged when a rig plowed into the ancient site, the country’s ministry of culture said.

The driver was arrested after he allegedly ignored warning signage and drove over UNESCO World Heritage site, the ministry said. He was later released after a magistrate said there was not enough evidence to prove that he had acted with intent.

Authorities found deep tire marks across an area of 50 meters by 100 meters (104 feet by 328 feet) in the site’s grounds and damage to three geoglyphs.

UNESCO has called the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana World Heritage Site, one of “archeology’s greatest enigmas.”

They are nearly 250 miles south of Lima and cover about 450 square kilometers. The site is around 2,000 years old. It’s geoglyphs and lines date back to 500 B.C. through A.D. 500. and represent animals, plant life and other extraordinary figures. Some are long – several kilometers – and form shapes. The designs are believed to have had ritual astronomical functions.

Authorities said they are planning to increase surveillance in the archeological site to avoid similar incidents despite the logistical challenges.

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