Thanks to AI technology, 303 new Nazca geoglyphs discovered in 6 months | WPN World People News

Under the collaboration between scientists from Yamagata University in Japan and IBM, artificial intelligence (AI) was used to conduct research on the Nazca Lines in the Nazca Desert of Peru. In just six months of exploration, 303 geoglyphs depicting humans and livestock were discovered, doubling the number of currently known figurative Nazca Lines. This research was recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

According to foreign media reports, it has been nearly a century since the Nazca Lines were first discovered, and both people and scientists have been deeply fascinated by them. The Nazca Lines are located in a desert area about 350 kilometers south of Lima. Large, shallow carvings depict animals, plants, imaginary beings, and geometric shapes. These carvings are particularly spectacular when viewed from above, making the site one of Peru's most popular tourist attractions.

Masato Sakai, an archaeologist at Yamagata University, stated that the collaboration between the university’s Nazca Institute and IBM’s research division used advanced AI technology to analyze vast amounts of geospatial data from aerial photographs. By identifying regions where more geoglyphs were likely to be found, the team was able to quickly and accurately pinpoint their locations, leading to the discovery of 303 new figurative Nazca Lines within just six months. This method greatly improved the efficiency of Nazca Line discoveries compared to traditional methods, which relied on the human eye to analyze high-resolution images, thus reducing the risk of overlooking any geoglyphs.

The research report indicated that the Nazca Lines could be categorized into two main types: linear and relief-type geoglyphs. It is speculated that these were created by communities for ritual activities. The team suggested that the relief-type geoglyphs, which are relatively smaller, were mainly found along winding paths and depicted humans, domesticated animals, and modified animal heads. These geoglyphs were likely used by individuals or small groups as a form of “notice board.” In contrast, the larger linear geoglyphs primarily depicted wild animals.

It is understood that the Nazca civilization emerged around 200 BC and lasted until approximately 700 AD. Since the first geoglyph was discovered in 1927, the origins and purposes of these figures have remained a mystery. Some scientists believe that the geoglyphs contain astrological and religious significance. The Nazca Lines have long been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the future, the research team will continue to use AI technology and geospatial data to explore more possible Nazca Lines and further decode these geoglyphs, revealing the important messages the Nazca civilization intended to convey.