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AI Uncovers Nazca Geoglyphs
Context:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionised the field of archaeology, leading to the discovery of hundreds of previously unknown Nazca geoglyphs in Peru.
Notable Findings:
- A 72-foot-long orca holding a knife
- Alien-like humanoid figures
- Decapitated heads and potential historical ceremonies
- Abstract animals such as llamas, birds, and cats
Geoglyph Categories
- Line-type geoglyphs: Larger and simpler figures, such as wild animals like birds and whales, measuring up to 90 meters. These are believed to have ceremonial or ritualistic significance and may have been used during pilgrimages to the Cahuachi Temple.
- Relief-type geoglyphs: Smaller and more intricate, often depicting humans, domesticated animals, or human activities. These are typically found near informal footpaths, suggesting a more localised or communicative purpose.
Nazca Lines Overview:
- The Nazca Lines, a series of ancient geoglyphs located in southern Peru, are some of the most fascinating and mysterious archaeological features in the world.
- Some more than 2,000 years old, are spread across the Nazca Pampa. The dry, windless conditions of the desert have preserved these designs over millennia.
- These ground motifs, created by removing surface stones, soil, or gravel to form “negative” images on the ground. They depict animals, plants, and human-like figures and have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994.
- They were initially thought to have astronomical significance, though modern theories suggest they were likely used for ritualistic purposes by the pre-Incan Nazca culture.
Discovery and Challenges:
- The Nazca Lines were first discovered by hikers in the 1920s, and subsequent aerial surveys in the 1930s led to more discoveries. However, identifying new geoglyphs has always been a challenge.
- From the ground, they are nearly impossible to spot, and even from the air, low-flying aircraft are needed, limiting the area that can be covered.
AI and Drone Technology:
- Recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and drone technology have transformed the way these geoglyphs are discovered.
- A survey published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences used AI to analyse aerial drone imagery over a vast 600 square km area of the Nazca Pampa.
- In less than six months, 303 new geoglyphs were discovered, which are smaller than previously known ones.
- The key to this discovery was AI software that could detect faint outlines in aerial photographs, reducing the imagery to just 2% for researchers to manually inspect.
- A survey published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences used AI to analyse aerial drone imagery over a vast 600 square km area of the Nazca Pampa.
- AI’s Role in Discovery: This AI system, developed by a collaboration between Japanese researchers and IBM, was capable of filtering through vast amounts of imagery, removing 98% of unnecessary data, and pinpointing the faintest geoglyphs.
Significance:
- The discovery of these new geoglyphs provides valuable insights into the Nazca culture, which left no written records.
- Experts now believe these lines were likely used in rituals and ceremonies related to community life, rather than for astronomical purposes as once thought.
- Many of the new geoglyphs were found along trails, possibly serving as markers or part of larger ritualistic landscapes related to animal husbandry.
Implications:
- Impact on Archaeology: In the past, new discoveries came at a rate of about 1.5 geoglyphs per year. With the advent of AI and drone technology, this rate accelerated dramatically, and the current study represents a 16-fold increase in discovery speed.
- The Future of Archaeology with AI: Enabling researchers to explore vast areas more quickly and accurately.
- This technology has the potential to uncover many more hidden treasures around the world, shedding light on ancient civilizations and their ways of life.
