AI Reveals Hidden Meanings
Researchers from Yamagata University in Japan have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Peru. Using artificial intelligence (AI), they have identified 303 new geoglyphs, nearly doubling the number previously known. These newly discovered figures, primarily of the "surface" type, depict humans, heads, and livestock.
Professor Masato Sakai, a cultural anthropologist at Yamagata University, believes these geoglyphs offer insights into the rituals and beliefs of the ancient Nazca people. He suggests that the human figures represent sacrifices to the gods, while the animal figures may have served as ritual spaces.
"At that time, there was no written language in society," Professor Sakai explains. "People learned about the roles of people and animals by looking at pictures, and used them as a place for rituals."
The Nazca Lines are a series of massive geoglyphs etched into the desert floor. Their purpose and meaning have long been a mystery, but these new discoveries shed light on their potential role in ancient rituals and sacrifices.
The research team's findings were published in the journal Antiquity and have been met with excitement from archaeologists and historians around the world. The use of AI in archaeological research is a growing trend, and this project demonstrates its potential to unlock new insights into the past.