Latin America

Last edited Sun Jun 15, 2025, 07:57 PM - Edit history (1)

By
Abdul Moeed
June 9, 2025



One of the Nazca lines geoglyphs visible as The Hummingbird. Credit: Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0

Following intense public and professional backlash, Peru’s Ministry of Culture has reversed a controversial decision that had reduced the protected boundaries of the ancient Nazca Lines and surrounding geoglyphs. The government reinstated the original perimeter of 5,633.47 square kilometers (2175 square miles), restoring full coverage after experts, citizens, and heritage organizations raised concerns. The Ministry confirmed the reinstatement in a statement, stating the move upholds Peru’s responsibility to ensure long-term protection of the Nazca Lines.

The reversal also included the formal annulment of Viceministerial Resolution No. 128-2025, which had scaled back the protected area to just over 3,200 square kilometers (1235.527 square miles). The reduction, announced in late May, was based on studies that attempted to define which zones held the most archaeological value.

However, critics argued that the decision endangered lesser-known sites, exposed the area to illegal mining and farming, and weakened the country’s overall preservation framework.

Experts warn of broader risk to cultural heritage

Archaeologists, including the College of Archaeologists of Peru, warned that the move could set a damaging precedent for other heritage locations such as Caral and Machu Picchu.

“The original polygon not only protects the geoglyphs but also other archaeological sites that were within that limit. That delimitation allows, at least in theory, broader protection,” said Eyne Omar Bendezú De La Cruz, director of the School of Archaeology at the Saint Aloysius Gonzaga National University.

More:
https://greekreporter.com/2025/06/09/peru-full-protection-ancient-nazca-lines/