Chapter 1: The Nazca Geoglyphs

The enigmatic drawings found in the arid landscapes of southwestern Peru represent the most well-known geoglyphs globally. These colossal images of animals, humans, and geometric forms are believed to date back as far as 2,500 years. While many were discovered during the early 20th century, recent findings by Japanese scientists have revealed that our understanding of the Nazca lines was incomplete, suggesting there are still numerous secrets to uncover.

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Section 1.1: Historical Context

The Nazca Geoglyphs first came to light in 1926. At that time, without the ability to view them from an aerial perspective, they were mistakenly identified as ancient pathways. It wasn't until the advent of aviation in the 1940s that researchers recognized the lines formed intricate designs resembling animals and human figures.

The geoglyphs were crafted by the Nazca civilization, who removed iron oxide-coated pebbles from the surface to expose the lighter soil beneath. Spanning over 75,000 hectares between Nazca and Palpa, these geoglyphs were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, with only about 30 designs identified at that time.

Image by Monika Neumann for Pixabay

Section 1.2: Theories Behind the Lines

The true purpose of these geoglyphs has long been debated. Initially thought to be roadways or irrigation systems, they were later viewed as sacred paths, trade routes, or even ancient sports fields. Some theories suggest that the Nazca created these massive designs to honor and connect with their deities. Others propose that the geoglyphs served astronomical functions, aligning with constellations, while some indicate they marked seasonal changes for agriculture.

Image by Monika Neumann for Pixabay

Chapter 2: A.I. and New Discoveries

Recently, researchers from Yamagata University in Japan announced the discovery of 142 previously unknown geoglyphs on the Nazca Plateau, a breakthrough made possible through the use of Artificial Intelligence. This technology assisted in analyzing ground images to find shapes that the human eye might overlook.

This video discusses how A.I. technology facilitated the discovery of new Nazca lines, showcasing the innovative techniques used by researchers.

The research team, led by anthropologist Masato Sakai, meticulously examined high-resolution satellite imagery and conducted extensive fieldwork. They identified two main categories of geoglyphs: older, smaller ones believed to have been created between 100 BC and 100 AD, and larger, more recent designs estimated to date from 100 to 300 AD.

Image by Diana Urquiza for Pixabay

The algorithms utilized in this groundbreaking research operated on IBM's PAIRS Geoscope, with the IBM Watson Machine Learning Accelerator (WMLA) analyzing vast quantities of satellite and drone imagery to detect previously unnoticed geoglyphs.

This video covers the findings of the Japanese research team that revealed over 160 new geoglyphs, highlighting the significance of these discoveries in understanding Nazca culture.

The A.I. system first identified a faint outline of a small humanoid figure, unveiling other geoglyphs in the region. Among the new discoveries are intricate designs, including a two-headed snake, a massive bird, fish, and various humanoid figures.

Source: Yamagata University

The researchers speculate that the larger animal depictions served as sites for ancient rituals, while the smaller designs may have acted as navigational markers for travelers, guiding them toward significant ceremonial areas.

Source: Yamagata University

Some of the newly found geoglyphs are notably small, with the tiniest measuring less than 5 meters. This emphasizes the challenges faced in locating undiscovered geoglyphs across the expansive Nazca region. Additionally, environmental factors have diminished many lines to mere depressions in the ground. The integration of Artificial Intelligence developed by IBM engineers was crucial in making these discoveries possible.