Japan
Artificial intelligence helps Japanese find geoglyphs
Japanese researchers, with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI), discovered 303 new geoglyphs in the Nazca Desert, Peru, in just six months, almost doubling the known number of these enigmatic structures that are more than 2,000 years old. The announcement was made during a press conference by the study leaders.
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Archaeologist Masato Sakai from Yagamata University highlighted the efficiency of AI by stating: “The use of AI in research has allowed us to map the distribution of geoglyphs in a faster and more accurate way.” The press conference took place at the Japanese embassy in Lima, where details of the discovery were released.
The findings were the result of collaborative work between the Nazca Institute, affiliated with a Japanese educational institution, and IBM Research. Traditionally, studies were carried out through visual identification of high-resolution images, a method that was time-consuming and prone to failure.
The 303 new geoglyphs identified with the help of AI are of great relevance to the scientific community. Published in PNAS, a magazine of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, the research stated: “AI-accelerated research allowed us to identify 303 new geoglyphs with six months of fieldwork.”
The use of AI saved time and resources, as well as increasing the accuracy of discoveries. This not only facilitated the identification of a large number of new geoglyphs, but also set a new standard in archaeological research.
The Nazca geoglyphs are known for their gigantic shapes, including geometric designs, animals and human figures. Attributed to the Nazca culture, which flourished between 200 BC and 600 AD, the new geoglyphs expand our knowledge of this ancient civilization and its engineering and art.
These enigmatic figures have intrigued researchers and tourists alike. The purpose of these geoglyphs is still unclear, but theories suggest that they could have been used for religious rituals or as an astronomical calendar.
Despite the discovery of 303 new geoglyphs, archaeological research in Nazca is far from over. The team at Yagamata University and IBM Research plans to continue using AI to explore new areas and deepen understanding of the meaning and creation of these geoglyphs.
The results so far highlight the importance of incorporating new technologies into archaeology, providing a more detailed view of our past. Certainly, new discoveries are on the way as technology and science continue to converge.