These are some of the new Nazca Lines – over 140 of them in total – representing people, animals and other beings which have been discovered and mapped out thanks to artificial intelligence.
Japanese scientists from Yamagata University have discovered 142 geoglyphs, from between 100 BC and 300 AD at the Nazca Lines and the surrounding areas in southern Peru.
The find comes after around 50 new geoglyphs were discovered over 12 months ago.
The area is around 1,000 square kilometres and the approximately 300 geoglyphs are only visible from the air.
The Japanese experts, who published their results on the university’s website, used high-resolution images and artificial intelligence to identify the new figures that show human, plant and animals forms.
The first geoglyph discovered with the system came during research done by the university between 2018 and 2019 along with Japan IBM.
According to the experts, this advanced methodology allows them to find new lines and introduces the ability to process huge amounts of data, including aerial pictures of high quality and high resolution.
They say the Watson AI system allows them to analyse 3D data quickly and efficiently, allowing them to understand the distribution of the Nazca lines better.
The system could help preserve the lines as urban areas around them are reportedly expanding and affecting their preservation.
Professor Masato Sakai, the main researcher of the Department of Cultural Anthropology and Andine Archaeology at the university started his research in 2004 but “there is still a lot of work to do”, he said in a press statement.
The first Nazca lines were discovered in 1927 and they were given UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1994.
Experts have speculated about Nazca lines for years. Many have looked into the ancient Nazca culture to try to work out what they were for. One theory is that the Nazcas made them so the gods would see them from the skies above.
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Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
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