Researchers from Yamagata University’s Institute of Nazca in Peru, led by Prof. Masato Sakai, partnered with IBM scientists to teach AI how to analyze aerial imagery, identifying previously hidden geoglyphs. This collaboration has significantly accelerated the process, making it possible to conduct surveys in a fraction of the time it would normally take.
As Sakai explains, “The ability to conduct the survey in such a short period was thanks to the use of AI.”
This technology is not only helping to identify more geoglyphs but also changing how archaeologists approach the study of ancient civilizations. By processing aerial imagery, AI can spot patterns that might have otherwise gone unnoticed by the human eye, offering a more efficient way to map and understand historical remains. The success of AI in the Nazca Desert is only the beginning, as the technology is already being applied to other archaeological sites worldwide.
The Nazca Lines represent one of the first successful uses of AI in archaeology. These lines, created by scraping away the top layer of soil to expose lighter-colored material underneath, are intricate and precise, showcasing the Nazca people’s advanced understanding of geometry and proportion. Historically, archaeologists relied on traditional methods such as ground surveys, photography, and manual mapping to study these ancient sites.
However, digital tools such as photogrammetry and remote sensing technologies are now being adopted, allowing archaeologists to study vast areas more quickly and accurately. One of the most intriguing aspects of this AI-driven discovery is the potential to understand the purpose of the Nazca Lines better. Sakai’s team suggests that many of the new geoglyphs were part of ritual walkways, where individuals would walk along the lines to engage with the landscape and commune with the gods.
AI accelerates geoglyph discovery process
AI’s ability to identify these new sites has helped confirm that the geoglyphs were designed not only as artistic expressions but also as spiritual and cultural symbols. While AI has revolutionized the study of the Nazca Lines, the technology has vast potential for the future of archaeology. Dr.
Alexandra Karamitrou, an expert in AI and archaeology from the University of Southampton, is developing tools that could help archaeologists identify a wider range of historical sites. Her work demonstrates that AI can detect visible features like geoglyphs and also interpret complex relationships between sites and environmental factors. The applications of AI in archaeology extend beyond geoglyphs and ancient art.
Researchers from the United Arab Emirates have used AI to analyze satellite data from the Saruq Al Hadid copper smelting center. This technology could also aid in studying sunken shipwrecks, buried cities, and the impacts of climate change on ancient sites. Despite the promising results, AI is not infallible.
Sakai’s team had to manually verify AI’s predictions, scrutinizing dozens of suggestions for each new geoglyph. “AI isn’t perfect, especially in archaeology,” says Dr. Karamitrou. But in a few years, we might be able to develop algorithms with very good accuracy, helping people save time, energy, and money.
As AI technology improves, it is expected to become even more efficient, allowing archaeologists to explore more areas with fewer resources.
The ability to automate the detection of sites could drastically increase the speed and scope of archaeological research, uncovering hidden treasures and unlocking the secrets of ancient civilizations. This groundbreaking use of AI heralds a new era in archaeology, where technology and human expertise combine to solve puzzles of the ancient world.
Image Credits: Photo by Alex Knight on Unsplash
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