A collaborative team of archaeologists from Yamagata University, Université Paris, and IBM has made a groundbreaking discovery in Peru's Nazca Desert, identifying 303 previously unknown geoglyphs using artificial intelligence.

This innovative research, led by Masato Sakai from Yamagata University, utilized a pre-trained AI model to analyze aerial photographs, significantly enhancing the efficiency of archaeological work.

In just six months, this project verified 330 geoglyphs, a remarkable feat compared to the century it took to catalog the previously known 430.

The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, emphasize the AI's capability to detect faint geoglyphs in drone-captured aerial images.

The use of AI and low-flying drones has accelerated the discovery process, allowing researchers to uncover nearly double the known geoglyphs in a fraction of the time.

The researchers hope that these discoveries will contribute to the conservation of the Nazca region, potentially leading to its designation as a protected park.

The newly identified geoglyphs depict a variety of subjects, including humans, domesticated animals, and abstract representations, such as a knife-wielding killer whale.

Analysis of the geoglyphs revealed that linear designs predominantly depict wild animals, while relief geoglyphs mainly represent human figures or modified elements.

The study suggests that the geoglyphs served different purposes, with linear types likely used for community rituals and relief types for individual or small group observation.

The Nazca Desert's unique climate, with minimal rainfall, has preserved these ancient artworks, which date back to the Nazca and Paracas cultures around 2000 B.C.

The smaller relief-type glyphs were likely created by local communities and often found near walking trails, depicting livestock, birds, and ceremonial activities.

The research team plans to continue utilizing AI technology to search for additional examples of ancient art in the Nazca Desert, potentially uncovering even more geoglyphs.