1963 Nasca (Nazca) geoglyphs, Peru desert. The desert surface is covered by a layer of dark stones lying on top of fine yellow sediment left by an ancient alluvial deposit. The markings were made by simply moving the stones to one side as on a giant scraper board. In places the surface is so fragile that even footsteps show.

The main feature of this image is a trapezoid 470 metres long covered by low heaps of stones set in regular rows along its length. Other features include the alluvial fans caused by rainstorms in the Andes mountains, many straight markings and pock marks which are pits left by local treasure hunters. This location is close to the edge of the Nasca river valley, downstream 7.5kms from Nasca town.

Camera: MPP Microflex Twin Lens Reflex with F3.5 77.5mm Taylor Taylor Hobson lens. Film Kodak Verichrome Pan at F5.6 - 1/300 second with a 3 x orange filter (Actina) to increase the contrast between the stones and the yellow sediment. Developed by hand in Lima using Kodak Microdol at normal dilution.

Negative Peru 63-43-09 © Tony Morrison