😵💫 The Mystery of the Nazca Desert: AI Aids in Discovering Ancient Giant Drawings
😵💫 The Mystery of the Nazca Desert: AI Aids in Discovering Ancient Giant Drawings
In collaboration with IBM Research, the Japanese University of Yamagata's Nazca Institute team discovered 303 previously unknown geoglyphs on the Nazca Plateau in Peru. The scientific journal PNAS published the research findings.
🌍 Understanding Geoglyphs
Geoglyphs are vast figures etched into the earth, discernible only from the sky. The most renowned examples lie on the Nazca Plateau, created between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D. These designs depict various figures, including animals, humans, and abstract shapes. The Nazca people carved trenches 30 to 40 centimeters deep, crafting striking contrasts that have remarkably endured due to the region's arid climate. The purpose of these intricate patterns remains mysterious, as the Nazca had no written language to document their meanings.
🔍 The Discovery Process
The scientists used a computer vision system to analyze images of the Nazca Plateau. An AI trained on known geoglyphs identified around 1,300 potential new drawings over six months, and field studies confirmed 303 of them.
Among the discoveries is a 9-meter geoglyph of a person with a rectangular head and patterns on the body and a 22-meter "killer whale with a knife."
📜 Significance and Implications
Integrating artificial intelligence and low-flying drones has dramatically expedited geoglyph discovery. These recent finds, dating back to around 200 B.C., offer potential insights into the cultural transition from the Paracas to the Nazca civilization. The total count of recognized geoglyphs on the plateau has surged by nearly 70%. The Nazca Lines were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, underscoring their cultural and historical importance.
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