Archaeologists in Peru, aided by artificial intelligence (AI), have uncovered 303 previously unknown geoglyphs in the Nazca Desert. These ancient symbols, some over 2,000 years old, depict many figures, including birds, spiders, plants, human-like beings with headdresses, decapitated heads, and even an orca wielding a knife.
The discovery, which nearly doubles the known number of Nazca geoglyphs, was detailed in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Monday. These large-scale artworks were created by moving stones or gravel to reveal contrasting earth beneath and have survived millennia due to the dry and sparsely populated region.
The use of AI, in conjunction with high-resolution imagery, has dramatically accelerated the discovery process. Masato Sakai, a professor of archaeology at Yamagata University in Japan, led the team responsible for this remarkable breakthrough. Working alongside researchers from IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center in New York, they trained an AI model to analyze satellite images of the Nazca geoglyphs.
A New Age of Archaeological Discovery
The AI model, although not perfect, suggested over 47,000 potential sites within the 629 square kilometers (243 square miles) of the Nazca Desert. From these, researchers identified 1,309 candidates with “high potential.” Fieldwork between September 2022 and February 2023 confirmed the existence of 303 new geoglyphs, many of which were discovered with the help of AI. As the study notes, AI has proven to be a “game changer,” significantly reducing the labor required to pinpoint promising locations for fieldwork.
“The geoglyphs in good condition were immediately recognized for what they were,” said Sakai in an email. “For those in poor condition, we are investigating what they are through detailed fieldwork.”
Among the new discoveries, 178 were directly suggested by the AI model, while 125 were additional findings made during fieldwork. Notably, 66 geoglyphs were identified as part of a cluster discovered by AI, while 59 were found without AI assistance. The researchers believe many more geoglyphs are waiting to be uncovered, estimating that at least 248 more could be identified based on the success rate of their AI-driven fieldwork.
AI’s Growing Role in Archaeology
While AI has proven immensely useful in archaeology, it is not without its limitations. “AI is great, but humans are still needed,” said Amina Jambajantsan, a researcher and data scientist at the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology in Germany, who was not involved in the Nazca research. Jambajantsan noted that archaeologists and data scientists often do not collaborate closely, with the former lacking the technical skills to build machine learning models and the latter being drawn to more lucrative fields.
Nonetheless, AI continues to show its potential in advancing archaeological discoveries, as seen in the Nazca research. The use of AI has allowed archaeologists to focus on more targeted fieldwork, which, in turn, has yielded significant results.
Decoding the Purpose of Nazca Geoglyphs
Despite the increasing number of discoveries, the purpose of the Nazca geoglyphs remains a mystery. The prevailing theory is that they were part of a sacred space used for pilgrimage. Other hypotheses suggest the geoglyphs may have been related to calendars, astronomy, irrigation, or even communication through movement, such as running or dancing.
The study also revealed interesting patterns among the geoglyphs. Larger geoglyphs, typically visible from the air, often depict wildlife such as plants and animals, while smaller, figurative geoglyphs show human figures and scenes possibly related to human sacrifice or domesticated animals. Many of these smaller geoglyphs were found along ancient winding paths, suggesting they were viewed up close by small groups of people traversing the desert.
The larger symbols, meanwhile, were often located near straight lines and geometric shapes etched into the earth, possibly indicating sites for ceremonial activities.
Sakai and his team continue their work to decipher the precise meaning of these geoglyphs, which they believe lies in how the symbols are grouped together. “Our findings suggest that their meaning is formed through their combinations,” Sakai explained, hinting at a deeper, yet-to-be-understood significance behind the symbols.
With AI continuing to enhance archaeological methods, future discoveries in the Nazca Desert could bring researchers closer to unlocking the true meaning behind these ancient artworks.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
