AI Technology Aids in Revealing Ancient Nazca Geoglyphs in Peru

Artificial intelligence has aided archaeologists in discovering hundreds of ancient geoglyphs in the Peruvian desert, linked to the Nazca culture. These geoglyphs, which often depict humanoid figures and llamas, are smaller and older than the famous Nazca lines. The AI technology accelerated the identification process, allowing researchers to uncover 303 new figures during field surveys. However, many potential geoglyphs still await inspection, highlighting the urgency of protecting these sites from modern threats.

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence have facilitated the discovery of hundreds of ancient geoglyphs in the Peruvian desert, particularly those representing decapitated human heads and domesticated llamas. These geoglyphs are attributed to the Nazca culture, which began creating such illustrations approximately 2,000 years ago. In contrast to the more renowned Nazca lines, which feature gigantic geometric shapes and animals and span several kilometers, these newly found geoglyphs are smaller and typically measure around 9 meters in length. Some of the imagery appears to address themes of human sacrifice alongside depictions of killer whales equipped with blades. The research team, led by Masato Sakai of Yamagata University, utilized an AI model trained to detect these geoglyphs within aerial photographs covering an area ten times larger than Manhattan. This innovative approach produced a detailed map indicating the likelihood of geoglyph presence across various sites within the UNESCO World Heritage area of the Nazca lines. The AI significantly streamlined the research process, allowing researchers to focus on the most probable locations and thereby reducing the scope of low-probability images by 98%. Despite the labor-intensive efforts that followed, totaling more than 2,600 hours of manual analysis and field surveys, the AI’s contribution effectively accelerated the process by a factor of 50. Through their exhaustive efforts, researchers identified a total of 303 figurative geoglyphs during field surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023. Of these, 178 figures were directly recognized by AI, while an additional 66 were discovered among groups highlighted by the AI analysis. This method highlights a significant leap in the understanding of geoglyph distribution in the Nazca region. However, Karsten Lambers of Leiden University cautions that the technology is more adept at locating more visible geoglyphs, suggesting that numerous others may still be overlooked. Furthermore, there are still nearly 1,000 AI-indicated candidates awaiting examination, which are believed to convey the ritualistic significance of individuals or small groups in the past. Conversely, the grander line geoglyphs likely served as focal points for larger communal rituals. As the AI-based approach shows promise for uncovering geoglyphs outside the protected World Heritage Site, David Beresford-Jones from the University of Cambridge emphasizes the urgent need for expedient action, given that many geoglyphs may soon face obliteration due to agricultural activities, urban expansion, and the installation of wind power infrastructures.

The Nazca culture, known for its intricate geoglyphs crafted within the arid landscape of Peru, has been a subject of fascination for archaeologists and historians alike. These geoglyphs, carved into the earth, range from simple shapes to complex figures and have been recognized as an artistic and cultural legacy from a civilization that thrived approximately 2,000 years ago. The more famous Nazca lines are characterized by their enormous size and geometric precision, stretching for miles, whereas the recent discoveries highlight smaller and historically significant geoglyphs associated with ritualistic practices. The incorporation of AI technology in archaeological research marks a pivotal advancement, allowing for the analysis of extensive datasets that would otherwise be impractical to manage.

The application of artificial intelligence in the discovery of ancient Nazca geoglyphs represents a significant milestone in archaeological methodology. The research not only reveals a wealth of previously unknown figures but also underscores the urgent need to document these cultural artifacts amidst threats of erasure from modern developments. With further investigations pending, the potential for uncovering more hidden geoglyphs remains promising, albeit dependent on resource availability to safeguard this invaluable historical heritage.

Original Source: www.newscientist.com