AI unearths ancient Nazca drawings in Peru desert.

An incredible discovery has been made in the Peruvian desert with the aid of artificial intelligence – hundreds of ancient drawings that depict decapitated human heads and domesticated llamas. These intricate creations have been linked to the Nazca culture, pioneers of etching geoglyphs into the ground some 2000 years ago.

Unlike the Nazca lines showcasing massive geometric patterns or giant animal depictions, the newly unearthed images are notably smaller and older. They predominantly feature humanoid figures and domesticated animals, some suggestive of human sacrifice, such as portrayals of decapitated heads and killer whales brandishing weapons.

According to Masato Sakai from Yamagata University, “On some pottery from the Nazca period, there are scenes depicting orcas with knives cutting off human heads,” shedding light on the ritualistic practices of the ancient civilization.

Sakai’s team utilized AI technology to scour aerial photographs and identify potential geoglyph sites, significantly expediting the screening process by filtering out low-probability areas. This innovative approach led to the uncovering of 303 figurative geoglyphs, shedding new light on the Nazca culture and their artistic expressions.

Renowned scholars like Karsten Lambers and Marcus Freitag laud the AI’s role in mapping the Nazca region’s geoglyphs, emphasizing the importance of swift action to safeguard these ancient artifacts from modern development threats.

With nearly 1000 AI-identified candidates awaiting further exploration, the tantalizing prospect of unearthing more hidden geoglyphs beckons, promising to enrich our understanding of this enigmatic civilization further.