According to a research paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the combination of AI and low-flying drones revolutionized the speed and efficiency of geoglyph discovery. (Source: Image by RR)

From Parrots to Decapitated Heads, 303 New Geoglyphs Discovered Using AI in Peru

Archaeologists using AI and drones have discovered 303 new geoglyphs near the Nazca Lines in Peru, nearly doubling the known figures at the 2,000-year-old site. These newly identified geoglyphs, which include depictions of animals and humans, are smaller than the famous Nazca patterns and date back to around 200 BCE, providing insight into the transition from the Paracas to the Nazca culture. The AI tool allowed researchers to quickly map geoglyphs that were previously difficult to detect, drastically reducing the time needed for such discoveries from years to days.

The AI-assisted discovery method was highlighted as a breakthrough in archaeological studies. By analyzing geospatial data from drones, the system efficiently spotted smaller geoglyphs that would have been impossible to find using older methods. The AI model, as reported in theguardian.com, identified relief-type geoglyphs in just six months, a significant improvement over the nearly century-long process that identified 430 earlier geoglyphs. These new geoglyphs provide researchers with valuable information about the daily lives of ancient people, distinct from the larger, more ritualistic figures of the Nazca culture.

The new figures, which include animals like llamas and even decapitated human heads, offer a contrast to the massive geometric designs seen in Nazca culture. According to archaeologists, these smaller geoglyphs may have been used as signs representing family or kinship groups and lacked the ritual significance of the larger figures created for the gods. They likely played a role in daily life, rather than the religious functions associated with Nazca’s later, larger drawings.

This discovery, enabled by AI and drones, revolutionizes the way archaeologists explore ancient sites like Nazca. The ability to cover several kilometers of the desert in a single day allows for faster and more detailed mapping of archaeological treasures, opening new possibilities for understanding the past. The findings will likely prompt further research into the purpose and meaning of these newly uncovered geoglyphs, offering deeper insight into early Andean cultures.

read more at theguardian.com