For over a century, the Nazca Lines of Peru have baffled archaeologists. These vast geoglyphs—created by the Nazca people between 200 BCE and 650 CE—stretch across the desert, depicting animals, plants, and tools in patterns so enormous they’re only fully visible from the air. The purpose behind these intricate designs has remained elusive—until now.
Thanks to a groundbreaking collaboration between archaeologists and artificial intelligence (AI), 303 new geoglyphs have been identified in just six months—doubling the number previously known. This remarkable achievement, reported by Science Focus, marks a major leap forward in unraveling one of archaeology’s longest-standing enigmas.
The Power of AI in Archaeological Research
Led by Professor Masato Sakai of Yamagata University’s Nazca Institute, researchers partnered with IBM scientists to train AI systems capable of scanning vast aerial image datasets. This allowed them to detect geoglyphs that had long gone unnoticed. As Sakai explains, “The ability to conduct such intensive research in such a short period of time was only possible with the help of AI.”
AI isn’t just helping archaeologists find more geoglyphs—it’s transforming the way ancient cultures are studied. By analyzing aerial photographs, AI can spot subtle patterns that the human eye might miss, offering a faster and more precise way to map and interpret ancient sites.
And this is only the beginning. The same technology is now being applied at archaeological sites around the world, from ancient burial mounds to long-lost shipwrecks.
A New Era in Understanding Ancient Civilizations
The Nazca Lines are now considered one of the most successful early case studies for AI in archaeology. Created by scraping away the top layer of desert soil to reveal lighter material beneath, these lines showcase the Nazca people’s advanced understanding of geometry and proportion.
German mathematician and astronomer Maria Reiche dedicated decades of her life to studying the lines, often emphasizing their “perfect” symmetry. Today, AI is helping researchers uncover even more of these designs, providing fresh insight into their possible meanings and uses.
Traditionally, archaeologists relied on ground surveys, photography, and manual mapping to study ancient sites. But as Dr. João Fonte of ERA Arqueologia notes, “Archaeology is truly at the forefront of innovation” when it comes to embracing digital tools.
In addition to AI, archaeologists are now using photogrammetry and remote sensing technologies to study expansive areas with unprecedented speed and accuracy.
Decoding the Purpose of the Nazca Lines
One of the most exciting outcomes of this AI-powered discovery is the growing understanding of why the Nazca Lines were created. Professor Sakai’s team believes many of the newly uncovered geoglyphs were part of ceremonial pathways—routes people walked to interact with the land and communicate with their gods. This supports the idea that the lines weren’t just artistic expressions but served spiritual and cultural purposes.
AI’s ability to identify and map these geoglyphs has opened new possibilities for exploring how the Nazca people connected with their environment, and how their knowledge of spatial planning and astronomy shaped their world.
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Archaeology
While AI has already revolutionized the study of the Nazca Lines, its potential in archaeology is far-reaching. Dr. Alexandra Karamitrou, an AI and archaeology specialist at the University of Southampton, is developing tools that could help identify a broader range of ancient sites.
Her research shows that AI can go beyond detecting visible features like geoglyphs—it can analyze complex relationships between these sites and environmental factors such as water sources or topography.
AI applications now extend well beyond South America. In 2023, researchers in the United Arab Emirates used AI to analyze satellite data from Saruq Al Hadid, a copper-smelting site dating back to 1270–800 BCE. The system provided insights into how artifacts were distributed across the site and helped prioritize excavation efforts.
This same technology could soon be used to study sunken shipwrecks, buried cities, or even how climate change has impacted ancient settlements.
Caution and Potential: The Limits of AI in Archaeology
Despite the promise of AI, it’s not without its challenges. Professor Sakai’s team still had to manually verify dozens of AI-generated suggestions for each newly discovered geoglyph. “AI isn’t perfect—especially in archaeology,” admits Dr. Karamitrou. “But in a few years, we could be developing highly accurate algorithms that save researchers time, energy, and money.”
As AI tools continue to evolve, they are expected to become even more precise—allowing archaeologists to explore larger regions with fewer resources. Automating the detection of ancient sites could dramatically increase the speed and scope of archaeological research, revealing hidden treasures and unlocking the secrets of long-lost civilizations.
