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AI Uncovers 300 New Nazca Geoglyphs in Peru's Desert

AI Uncovers 300 New Nazca Geoglyphs in Peru's Desert

Alicia Shapiro
September 25, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

An image depicting the discovery of 300 new Nazca Lines using AI technology. It shows a stylized aerial view of the Nazca desert with intricate geoglyphs, including animal shapes and geometric patterns. A digital overlay represents the use of AI in the research. The background features the Andes Mountains and llamas, symbolizing Peru. The colors are earthy, with warm shades of brown and red, highlighting the desert landscape. A text overlay reads "AI uncovers 300 new Nazca geoglyphs" in a modern font.

Image Source: ChatGPT-4o

AI Uncovers 300 New Nazca Geoglyphs in Peru's Desert

Japanese scientists have used artificial intelligence to uncover 303 new geoglyphs in Peru's Nazca desert, doubling the number of known etchings created by a pre-Inca civilization nearly 2,000 years ago. The findings mark a significant leap in our understanding of the ancient Nazca culture.

An image of a Nazca Line geoglyph depicting a humanoid figure with a rectangular body, large eyes, and two antennae-like extensions from its head. The geoglyph is etched into the desert floor, showcasing the intricate designs created by the ancient Nazca civilization. The background shows the rugged texture of the desert terrain.

This undated handout picture released by the Yamagata University Institute of Nasca shows one of 303 new geoglyphs discovered by scientists at Yamagata University in Japan, where a team of researchers applied AI-assisted image analysis of aerial photographs, which accelerated the pace of geoglyph discovery during a 6-month fieldwork in the Nazca Pampas. The famous Nazca Lines, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, are geoglyphs more than 2,000 years old with geometric and animal figures that can only be seen from the sky. © Handout / Yamagata University Institute of Nasca/AFP

The Fascinating Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines, massive designs etched into the desert floor, depict a variety of figures, including animals, plants, and geometric shapes. Located about 220 miles (350 kilometers) south of Lima, these ancient artworks are best viewed from the air and have been a subject of fascination since their discovery nearly a century ago. The site is one of Peru’s top tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

AI’s Role in the New Discoveries

Announcing the new findings in Lima on Monday, archaeologist Masato Sakai from Yamagata University explained that AI technology has revolutionized the way researchers map geoglyphs. "The use of AI in research has allowed us to map the distribution of geoglyphs in a faster and more precise way," he stated. This breakthrough was achieved through a collaboration between Yamagata University's Nazca Institute and IBM’s research division.

An image of a Nazca Line geoglyph depicting a stylized animal, possibly a fish or lizard, with intricate details such as a spiral eye and jagged dorsal fins. The geoglyph is carved into the desert surface, highlighting the creativity and symbolism of the ancient Nazca people. The background shows the sandy, textured landscape of the Nazca desert.

Image Source: © Handout / Yamagata University Institute of Nasca/AFP

Accelerating Discoveries with AI

Traditional methods of identifying geoglyphs involved visually scanning high-resolution images, a slow process that risked missing smaller, less distinct figures. By contrast, AI was able to identify 303 new geoglyphs in just six months, a remarkable achievement considering it took nearly a century to catalog 430 figurative geoglyphs previously.

The newly discovered geoglyphs include giant linear designs representing wild animals and smaller motifs of abstract humanoids and domesticated camelids, such as llamas. The AI model excelled at detecting smaller relief-type geoglyphs that are difficult to spot with the naked eye.

Advanced Technology in Archaeology

Using AI, scientists analyzed vast amounts of geospatial data collected from aircraft to pinpoint areas with potential geoglyphs. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal, highlights how AI can accelerate archaeological discoveries, even in sites that are well-researched.

A collage of nine Nazca Line geoglyphs, each depicting different humanoid and animal figures. The images include stylized representations of humanoid figures with expressive faces, animals in unique poses, and abstract symbols. Each geoglyph is etched into the desert ground, showcasing the diversity and complexity of the ancient Nazca designs. The background highlights the rough, arid texture of the desert landscape.

A combination made on September 24, 2024 of undated handout picture released by the Yamagata University Institute of Nasca shows 9 of 303 new geoglyphs discovered by scientists at Yamagata University in Japan, where a team of researchers applied AI-assisted image analysis of aerial photographs, which accelerated the pace of geoglyph discovery during a 6-month fieldwork in the Nazca Pampas. The famous Nazca Lines, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, are geoglyphs more than 2,000 years old with geometric and animal figures that can only be seen from the sky. © Handout / Yamagata University Institute of Nasca/AFP

The Mystery of the Nazca Lines

The Nazca civilization thrived in southwestern Peru from 200 BC to 700 AD. The purpose behind the creation of these intricate lines remains a mystery, with some researchers suggesting they had astrological or religious significance.

The first Nazca geoglyphs were discovered in 1927, and their enigmatic beauty continues to captivate scientists and tourists alike. With the help of AI, researchers are now able to uncover more about this ancient culture and its mysterious creations.