Yamagata University researchers announced on September 24 that they have discovered 303 new geoglyphs in the Nazca Lines, Peru, using artificial intelligence, it seems “Artificial Intelligence” can be anything these days. This brings the total number of identified geoglyphs to 430, nearly doubling the previous count. The findings were part of a six-month field survey conducted from September 2022 to February 2023, in collaboration with IBM Research.
The newly discovered geoglyphs, which were created around 2,000 years ago, depict figures such as human heads, livestock, and other motifs. These “surface-type” geoglyphs, formed by removing stones, are located along pathways and are believed to represent human sacrifices and rituals. In contrast, the famous “line” type geoglyphs, like the Nazca hummingbird, are located at pilgrimage route endpoints and likely served as ritual spaces. More photos here.
Yamagata University has been studying the Nazca Lines since 2004, initially using satellite images and aerial photography. The recent use of AI technology has significantly advanced their research, enabling a more efficient survey of the vast Nazca Plateau. The geoglyphs are believed to have functioned as visual learning tools for understanding the roles of humans and animals in the pre-written language society, with these figures serving as focal points for ceremonies.
