A design etched in sand
On the northern face of the Paracas Peninsula, a massive three-pronged figure is carved into the hardened sand of a sloping hill. Known as the Paracas Candelabra, this geoglyph measures approximately 181 meters (595 feet) tall and is wide enough to be seen from 19 kilometers away at sea. The design was created by removing the dark, oxidized top layer of soil to expose the lighter-colored sand beneath.
The trenches forming the figure are cut about 60 centimeters (2 feet) deep into the petrified sand. This depth, combined with the local climate, contributes to the geoglyph's remarkable preservation. The Paracas region receives very little rainfall, and strong winds constantly clear loose sand from the grooves, keeping the lines distinct. The composition of the soil, which contains nitrous compounds, may also act as a natural binder, hardening the sand around the figure. Unlike the Nazca Lines, which are found on a flat desert plain and are best viewed from the air, the Candelabra is on a hillside and was clearly intended to be viewed from the water.