Scientists have uncovered 303 new Nazca Lines, adding to the long-standing mystery surrounding these ancient geoglyphs etched into the Peruvian desert. Using artificial intelligence (AI), researchers from IBM’s Thomas J Watson Research Centre in New York and Yamagata University in Japan discovered these previously unseen patterns, offering a fresh look into the creativity and ingenuity of the Nazca civilisation.
The newly discovered geoglyphs feature a variety of motifs, ranging from animals like killer whales, cats, and camels, to abstract shapes, and even resemble the popular Pixar robot character Wall-E. These designs, dating back to 400 BC, showcase the artistic prowess of the ancient Nazca people, though their exact purpose remains elusive.
By training an AI model on images of existing Nazca Lines, researchers were able to identify patterns hidden beneath the desert sands. Human experts later confirmed these findings through site visits. The AI-driven discovery, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, marks a significant breakthrough in understanding this enigmatic location.
The Nazca Lines, carved across a 170-square-mile area of the Nazca Desert, were created by the pre-Incan Nazca civilisation between 200 BC and AD 500. These large motifs were made by removing the red-tinged surface pebbles to expose the lighter soil underneath. Until now, around 430 Nazca Lines had been found, largely thanks to advancements in satellite imagery.
This latest discovery is sure to spark renewed interest in the Nazca Lines and inspire further research into the mysterious civilisation that created them, revealing more about their purpose and significance in history.
