Located about 400 km south of Lima, Peru, on the barren Nazca Pampa, lie hundreds, possibly thousands, of ancient geoglyphs. The Nazca Lines are one of archaeology’s greatest enigmas, discovered by chance in the mid-1920s. These geoglyphs, some more than 2,000 years old, have been the subject of much intrigue and study. Over the course of nearly a century, approximately 430 of these figures were identified. However, in a breakthrough moment, artificial intelligence (AI) contributed to the discovery of 303 new geoglyphs in under six months.
What Are Geoglyphs?
Geoglyphs are large-scale motifs made by manipulating the surface of the ground, often by arranging stones, soil, or gravel. The Nazca Lines are considered to be the oldest, with the majority of these images created by removing rocks and earth to create “negative” spaces. These geoglyphs, contrasted by the oxidized rust color of the desert, have remarkably survived due to the region’s minimal rainfall and wind erosion.
Discovery and Early Studies
The Nazca Lines were first discovered in the mid-1920s, and in 1926, Peruvian archaeologist Toribio Mejia Xesspe began studying them systematically. The 1930s saw further discoveries as aviation became more widespread, with pilots spotting additional geoglyphs. These geoglyphs, which range from trapezoids to stylized animals such as hummingbirds and spiders, can only be truly appreciated from the air due to their vast size and scale.
Challenges in Identifying Geoglyphs
Identifying Nazca geoglyphs is difficult due to their size and the vastness of the landscape. From the ground, the designs are nearly impossible to distinguish, and even from the sky, low-flying aircraft are required to view them. However, low altitude means less area can be covered, making it challenging to find smaller geoglyphs.
AI-Fueled Discovery of New Geoglyphs
A groundbreaking study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in September used AI to identify 303 new geoglyphs within six months. The team employed low-flying drones to cover over 600 square kilometers of the Nazca Pampa, then applied AI to analyze the imagery. AI helped filter out 98% of the data, leaving researchers with just 2% of the images to analyze manually.
The Role of AI in Discovering the Geoglyphs
The AI system, developed by a team of Japanese researchers and IBM, could detect faint outlines from aerial photos that would have been missed manually. The team, led by Dr. Masato Sakai, identified 1,309 potential geoglyph sites, eventually confirming 303 new figures. This technology is not only aiding in the discovery of smaller geoglyphs but is also expected to reveal even more, with estimates suggesting that another 500 figures remain undiscovered.
Implications for Archaeology and the Nazca Civilization
The recent discoveries offer new insights into the ancient Nazca civilization, which left no written records. While early archaeologists believed the geoglyphs had astronomical significance, modern experts suggest they were used for ritualistic purposes. Dr. Sakai proposed that the geoglyphs served as sacred spaces for communal rituals, and the newly discovered figures are located along trails, possibly related to rites and animal husbandry.
The Future of AI in Archaeology
This study highlights how AI is revolutionizing archaeology. The rate of discovery of new Nazca geoglyphs has significantly accelerated, from 1.5 per year in the mid-20th century to nearly 19 per year from 2004 to 2020. AI has further accelerated the discovery process, marking a new era in archaeological exploration. The potential of AI in archaeology is immense, offering the ability to uncover hidden histories and artifacts with unprecedented speed and accuracy.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What are Nazca geoglyphs?
- a) Natural rock formations
- b) Ancient large-scale motifs created on the ground
- c) Paintings on the desert floor
- d) Ancient pottery designs
Answer: b) Ancient large-scale motifs created on the ground
- Who was the first to systematically study the Nazca Lines?
- a) Toribio Mejia Xesspe
- b) Marcus Freitag
- c) Dr. Masato Sakai
- d) IBM researchers
Answer: a) Toribio Mejia Xesspe
- How were new geoglyphs discovered in the recent study?
- a) By aerial surveys using hot air balloons
- b) Through low-flying drones and artificial intelligence
- c) By explorers on foot in the desert
- d) By satellite imaging
Answer: b) Through low-flying drones and artificial intelligence
- What percentage of imagery was discarded by AI during the discovery process?
- a) 50%
- b) 98%
- c) 75%
- d) 10%
Answer: b) 98%
- What is the significance of the newly discovered geoglyphs, according to Dr. Sakai?
- a) They are related to ancient astronomy
- b) They were created for ritual purposes
- c) They were used for communication with aliens
- d) They are symbols of warfare
Answer: b) They were created for ritual purposes
- What does the study suggest about the potential for future archaeological discoveries using AI?
- a) AI will slow down the discovery process
- b) AI has no impact on archaeology
- c) AI will revolutionize the discovery of new sites and artifacts
- d) AI is only useful for digital preservation
Answer: c) AI will revolutionize the discovery of new sites and artifacts