Peru’s southern Nazca city always remembers Maria Reiche, a German researcher who dedicated her life to studying and protecting the famous Nazca Lines, and this year was not the exception. Early on Tuesday, a mass in memory of Reiche was held at the Mother Church of the aforementioned city. Other activities included a flag-raising ceremony and a pilgrimage to the mausoleum of the Lady of the Lines.
It must be noted Nazca citizens celebrate the region’s Tourism Week in honor of Maria Reiche, which coincides with the German scientist’s birthdate.
She left a great legacy in the conservation and study of these enigmatic geoglyphs located in Ica region.
Biography
Maria Reiche was born on May 15, 1903. The foreigner was 29 years old when she arrived in Peru.
Reiche began to work as a governess to the children of the German consul based in Cusco. The mathematician returned to her homeland in 1936, but —a year later— she came back to Peru.
The beauty of the Andean landscapes had captivated her in such a way that the scientist decided to stay in the Inca country. She passed away in Lima on June 8, 1998.
Nazca Lines
Nazca Lines are detailed designs and lines depicting geometric and zoomorphic figures covering an area of 50 km long and 15 km wide. These mysterious archaeological geoglyphs can be found between km 419 and 465 on the Panamericana Sur Highway.
According to Reiche, they were used as a giant solar and lunar calendar by ancient Peruvian astronomers.
Source: Andina
