In the barren deserts of southern Peru, where the wind has preserved secrets for more than 1,500 years, a new tool has uncovered what human eyes missed for generations. Artificial intelligence has revealed hundreds of previously unknown Nazca Lines, reshaping our understanding of one of the world’s most enigmatic civilizations.

A discovery at record speed

In just six months, researchers from Yamagata University in Japan, working with IBM, doubled the catalog of Nazca geoglyphs, adding 303 new figures to the list. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the findings mark one of the fastest expansions of archaeological knowledge ever achieved at a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

These geoglyphs — carved into the desert floor between 200 BC and 650 AD — include sprawling depictions of birds, cats, fish, and intricate geometric patterns, some spanning hundreds of meters. For decades, their sheer scale made them nearly impossible to detect with traditional surveys. Now, AI has given archaeologists a new lens.

How AI sees what humans can’t

For over a century, researchers relied on aerial photography and boots-on-the-ground mapping to study the Nazca desert. But this new method trained AI algorithms on thousands of aerial images, teaching the system to pick up on faint lines and subtle patterns invisible to human observers.

The AI processed terabytes of drone and satellite data, quickly flagging potential geoglyphs. Archaeologists then verified these sites in person, ensuring context and accuracy. “The ability to complete the survey in such a short time was thanks to the use of AI,” said lead researcher Professor Masato Sakai.

The precision of these drawings, many perfectly symmetrical despite their vast size, reveals the Nazca people’s sophisticated grasp of geometry and spatial design.

Clues to ancient rituals

The Nazca Lines have long inspired wild theories — from star maps to alien runways. But Sakai’s team believes many of the figures served as ritual pathways, guiding ceremonial processions to connect with gods and the surrounding landscape.

This interpretation aligns with the work of Maria Reiche, the German mathematician who dedicated her life to studying the Lines. She argued that their geometry and scale reflected deliberate planning rather than random artistry. The newly uncovered geoglyphs, with their orientations and groupings, support the idea of a spiritual landscape rather than a cosmic mystery.

AI’s expanding role in archaeology

The Nazca project is part of a wider revolution in how archaeologists work. AI is now being used to spot burial mounds in Europe, map hidden settlements beneath dense forests, and even identify shipwrecks on the ocean floor. At a site in the UAE, algorithms analyzed satellite data to reveal artifact distribution, helping researchers focus excavations more effectively.

As Dr. João Fonte of ERA Arqueologia puts it, AI represents “a leap in efficiency.” What once took years of manual labor can now be achieved in days, freeing experts to focus on interpretation rather than endless scanning.

Humans still hold the key

Still, archaeologists stress that AI is not a replacement for human expertise. “AI isn’t perfect, especially in archaeology,” cautions Dr. Alexandra Karamitrou of the University of Southampton, who develops AI tools for the field. False positives remain common, and every discovery must still be checked in person.

Yet the momentum is undeniable. As algorithms improve, the chances of preserving fragile sites before they vanish increase dramatically. In Peru, this means a growing map of one of history’s most mysterious cultures — and a clearer look at the beliefs, rituals, and artistry that shaped the Nazca world.

With every line revealed, AI isn’t just solving an ancient puzzle — it’s proving itself as archaeology’s most powerful new partner.