What is the correct way to write it? With Z or with S?
Just as happened with Cuzco, replaced by Cusco (or Qosqo), for some time now the traditional proper name “Nazca,” with Z, has been replaced by “Nasca,” with S.
Although, generally speaking, both forms are accepted, the subject deserves a brief reflection. From a practical standpoint, changing a proper name that has been in use for hundreds of years implies a series of problems and creates confusion—for example, in library archives, civil registries, travel agencies, online searches, in delicate matters such as international recognition, and in legal contexts.
For instance: the place UNESCO recognizes as a World Heritage Site is officially named Cuzco, not Cusco, and certainly not Qosqo (the latter term corresponding to a phonetic system outside Spanish). It is argued that the Z is rather Hispanic and reflects the way the conquerors and ruling groups referred to the so-called “navel of the world.” But can history truly be changed by changing names?
In the case of Nazca with Z, the word also corresponds to a specific verbal form: the present subjunctive of the verb nacer (to be born) — yo nazca, tú nazcas, él nazca, etc. Based on various etymological, phonetic, and historical interpretations, the form Nasca (with S) has gradually gained ground and was recognized as official according to a law passed in 2013 by the Congress of the Republic (based on a bill introduced by Congressman José Luis Elías in 2011).
Moreover, UNESCO’s recognition refers to the “Nasca” Lines (with S) as a World Heritage Site. Therefore, that is the spelling (with S) that we use in this blog, except in historical references where the word appears with Z.
