In a groundbreaking discovery, hundreds of ancient drawings featuring decapitated human heads and domesticated llamas have been unearthed in the Peruvian desert with the assistance of artificial intelligence. These remarkable creations are associated with the Nazca culture, known for their impressive geoglyphs etched into the earth approximately 2000 years ago.
Unlike the larger Nazca lines, these newly identified geoglyphs are smaller and older, averaging around 9 meters in length. They primarily depict humanoid figures and domesticated animals, and some images suggest elements of human sacrifice, notably showcasing decapitated heads alongside depictions of killer whales wielding knives.
Researchers utilized AI technology to analyze aerial photographs of the Nazca Pampa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering an area ten times the size of Manhattan. The AI-generated map categorized grid squares based on the probability of containing geoglyphs, which significantly streamlined the process of identifying these ancient artworks.
While researchers dedicated more than 2600 hours to inspecting high-probability images and conducting field surveys, they reported that AI enhanced the screening efficiency by a factor of 50, filtering out 98% of low-probability visuals. As a result, the team discovered a total of 303 figurative geoglyphs during field surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023, with 178 of these geoglyphs individually identified through AI analysis.
The innovative approach of utilizing AI for remote sensing data marks a significant advancement, with experts expressing hope that it will aid in mapping out the extensive geoglyphs of the Nazca region. However, warnings have been issued that this technology may primarily uncover the more visible geoglyphs, leaving some obscured forms still waiting to be found in future searches.
Currently, nearly 1000 additional AI-identified candidates remain uninspected for upcoming field surveys. These smaller geoglyphs are often located on hillsides near winding paths, likely linked to the ritualistic practices of smaller groups, in contrast to the large line geoglyphs, which were likely created for broader community rituals.
The advancements made through AI screening also offer new opportunities for identifying geoglyphs beyond the Nazca lines designated as a World Heritage Site, providing a sense of urgency as many of these ancient figures face threats from agricultural expansion, urban development, and wind energy projects.
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