Subterranean City Discovery Alters Timeline of Nazca Region Civilization

An international consortium of archaeologists confirmed in early 2025 the discovery of a large, previously unknown subterranean city located directly beneath the iconic Nazca Lines in southern Peru. This finding significantly adjusts the established timeline for complex societal development in the region, suggesting a hidden civilization achieved a high level of organization centuries before the famous geoglyphs were created on the Pampa Colorada.

The initial confirmation of the extensive underground structure was achieved using advanced, non-destructive ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology, which provides accurate subsurface imaging. Researchers from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture collaborated on the project with specialists from the University of Cambridge, who have prior experience applying GPR to archaeological investigations, including the Roman city of Falerii Novi. Preliminary mapping indicates the complex spans several square kilometers, revealing an intricate network of constructed tunnels, sealed chambers, and large areas resembling ceremonial plazas. The scale of this engineering implies a highly coordinated labor force predating the surface markings.

Architectural features observed in the uppermost accessible stratum show parallels with the earlier Paracas culture, which flourished between approximately 800 BCE and 100 BCE and was noted for its advanced textiles and water management. Dr. Elena Vargas, the principal archaeologist for the Ministry of Culture, stated that while stylistic similarities suggest an early cultural lineage, the magnitude of this underground settlement is unprecedented for the Nazca region. Furthermore, a cache of ceramic vessels recovered from the highest accessible level displays iconography that diverges from established Nazca (c. 100 BC to AD 800) and Paracas typologies, potentially indicating a distinct cultural phase.

The Nazca Lines themselves, which cover nearly 190 square miles northwest of the city of Nazca, have long been a source of scholarly debate, with hypotheses ranging from astronomical calendars to ritual pathways associated with fertility. The newly discovered city's apparent precedence over the geoglyphs suggests a sophisticated, settled population existed in the area centuries earlier than previously estimated, possibly influencing the earliest traditions of the geoglyphs, some of which are attributed to the Paracas culture.

Access to the deeper subterranean levels has been temporarily restricted pending structural integrity assessments and the formulation of specialized preservation protocols for the newly exposed architecture and artifacts. The research team, which includes archaeologists such as Jorge Calero and Mildred Fernández Palomino who have studied Incan tunnels in Cusco, is currently focused on developing safe entry and excavation methodologies. This discovery, situated near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Nazca Lines, is poised to redefine the understanding of pre-Columbian societal complexity on Peru's arid coastal plains.