Mysterious 37m feline geoglyph discovered in Peru

Archaeologists in Peru have discovered a huge feline geoglyph on a hillside, the country's Ministry of Culture has said.

The new motif was found in Nazca, home to Peru's world-famous Nazca Lines that are carved on the surface of the coastal desert in the south of the country, depicting creatures, shapes, and plants.

In a written statement, the ministry said the newly discovered geoglyph, which is 37 meters long, was barely visible and at danger of becoming completely erased due to its position on a steep slope, subjecting it to the effects of natural erosion.

Jhony Islas, director of the Nazca-Palpa management plan of the Ministry of Culture, said it is likely there are even more designs out there waiting to be discovered.

"Well, one of the things that continues to surprise, and that many ask, is how we still find new geoglyphs, and in fact, there are new ones and we will continue to find more," he said.

Workers carrying out maintenance work during the coronavirus pandemic discovered the design, which features a large feline with the head drawn high up on the hill and looking straight ahead, the body and tail extended further down.