A research team from Yamagata University discovered 142 new patterns in the ancient Nazca plain of Peru and the surrounding area that may reveal further details about the enigmatic pre-Columbian artworks that have long piqued the interest of researchers and tourists. These geoglyphs depict people, animals, and other beings.

The massive sculptures were etched into the South American desert more than 2,000 years ago. They are a recognizable reminder of Peru's rich history, but their meaning is still unknown. They are roughly a three-hour drive from Lima.

The geoglyphs in the Nasca Pampa (an area spanning approximately 20 by 15 kilometers (12 miles by 9 miles)) were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. However, at that time, only about 30 geoglyphs had been identified in the Nasca Pampa. While the well-known ones could only be seen from the air, the recently discovered ones are smaller and visible from the ground since they range in length from two to six meters.

Since 2004, 190 figures have been found in the area by researchers. However, the region faces challenges from urban and economic development. Due to the recent growth of mining-related activities in the archaeological park, certain geoglyphs are at risk of being destroyed.

To expand the project, Yamagata University will utilize AI to aggregate, search through and analyze the data produced in fieldwork over the past 10 years. In addition, the university will implement AI to perform preliminary surveys on the distribution of geoglyphs and conduct fieldwork on-site. Based on these results, the university will work to produce a location map of the geoglyphs.

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