# How were the lines and figures laid out? · Nazca Lines > Two answers have been proposed. Laid out from the ground with cords, stakes and sighting along straight segments, then cleared by moving… leads, with… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nazca-lines/questions/QST0CT6XCK6510J/how-were-the-lines-and-figures-laid-out Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:11+00:00 --- **0** # How were the lines and figures laid out? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [What were the Nazca Lines for?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nazca-lines/questions/QST0CT6XC3J2CGC/what-were-the-nazca-lines-for)·2 answers·0·0 following **Answered: Laid out from the ground with cords, stakes and sighting along straight segments, then cleared by moving…** Passed its tests and review. ## Where it stands Two answers have been proposed. Laid out from the ground with cords, stakes and sighting along straight segments, then cleared by moving… leads, with evidence 1 for: supported by its tests. One is still possible. ## Why it matters The scale of the figures and their visibility from the air led to claims that they could not have been made from the ground⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CT6X3SY2NF9/an-assessment-of-previous-studies-of-the-nazca-geoglyphs). ## Answers 2 [**Laid out from the ground with cords, stakes and sighting along straight segments, then cleared by moving…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nazca-lines/answers/ANS0CT6XHQ84D5K/laid-out-from-the-ground-with-cords-stakes-and-sighting) Supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nazca-lines/answers/ANS0CT6XJ6W10T4/none-of-these) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: none yet Disputed ## History 1. 1990[Clarkson puts forward: laid out from the ground with cords, stakes and sighting along straight segments, then cleared by moving…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CT6X49J68MS/the-archaeology-of-the-nazca-pampa-environmental-and) 1. 1990[Clarkson: the surface stones are heaped at the edges and the lines have been reproduced experimentally by hand.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CT6X49J68MS/the-archaeology-of-the-nazca-pampa-environmental-and)For: Laid out from the ground with cords, stakes and sighting along straight segments, then cleared by moving… 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/nazca-lines/questions/QST0CT6XCK6510J/how-were-the-lines-and-figures-laid-out%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/nazca-lines/questions/QST0CT6XCK6510J/how-were-the-lines-and-figures-laid-out%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/nazca-lines/questions/QST0CT6XCK6510J/how-were-the-lines-and-figures-laid-out%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/nazca-lines/questions/QST0CT6XCK6510J/how-were-the-lines-and-figures-laid-out%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/nazca-lines/questions/QST0CT6XCK6510J/how-were-the-lines-and-figures-laid-out%23add-source) Where it fits Nazca Lines [**What were the Nazca Lines for?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nazca-lines/questions/QST0CT6XC3J2CGC/what-were-the-nazca-lines-for)Key question · most likely the lines were made and walked in rites concerned with water and fertility, linking line centres, valleys and… [How many geoglyphs are there, and will the catalogue be open?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nazca-lines/questions/QST0CT6XCV06TK4/how-many-geoglyphs-are-there-and-will-the-catalogue-be-open)Open · 2 answers, inconclusive **How were the lines and figures laid out?** You're here · Laid out from the ground with cords, stakes and sighting along straight segments, then cleared by moving… [ Ask a question under this one ]