For countless generations, expansive and elaborate land carvings have mystified experts, yet artificial intelligence (AI) is now providing new clues to address one of the field’s most enduring enigmas. In partnership with IBM scientists, researchers are applying AI to evaluate and decode large sets of aerial imagery, uncovering concealed geoglyphs and illuminating their ancient purposes. As noted by BBC Science Focus, this innovation is transforming how archaeologists study historical riddles, enabling unparalleled speed and efficiency in data processing.
The turning point occurred when archaeologists, headed by Professor Masato Sakai from Yamagata University, introduced AI into the extensive desert environment of the Nazca region. Training AI algorithms to detect geoglyphs in aerial photos, they identified upwards of 300 new figurative shapes in just six months, nearly doubling the previously recorded number. AI’s capacity to swiftly analyze massive quantities of satellite, drone, and aerial imagery is redefining archaeological surveys, accelerating discoveries that would otherwise require years of conventional fieldwork. By automating time-consuming tasks such as surveying and mapping, AI provides a broader perspective on archaeological sites and opens up new frontiers for exploration.
With AI overcoming many research barriers, previously imperceptible patterns, structures, and features are now detectable. By pairing machine learning with advanced imaging, archaeology is entering a fresh era of large-scale mapping, achievable at a fraction of the time once needed.
The Nazca Lines are not alone in reaping the benefits of AI-led progress. As technology evolves, AI is being deployed across a spectrum of archaeological initiatives, from unearthing burial mounds to identifying shipwrecks. Its strength in rapidly sifting through vast datasets makes AI indispensable for modern archaeologists, allowing them to pinpoint significant findings that might otherwise remain hidden.
Over the past decade, digital innovations have become integral to archaeology. Early strides in 3D modeling and remote sensing set the stage for AI-centered research. Transitioning from traditional survey methods to AI-driven analysis has vastly expanded the capacity to record, map, and visualize historical sites in inaccessible regions. By refining the precision of site identification and offering insights into landscape usage and cultural shifts, AI is reshaping how archaeologists interpret human history.
AI’s potential extends well beyond the Nazca Lines, as global teams employ it to discover ancient settlements, hillforts, and submerged relics—even in perilous or remote locations. In one project, archaeologists and AI specialists harnessed machine learning with remote sensing to detect hillforts based on aerial surveys, revealing subtle landscape patterns that would have been nearly impossible to see manually. Beyond locating lost cities, AI also assists scientists in spotting cultural artifacts, ruins, and environmental changes that affected human migration. In areas where fieldwork is obstructed by unrest or severe conditions, AI serves as a crucial resource, extracting data from aerial photos, LiDAR scans, and historical maps to facilitate research.
Though AI’s impact is significant, challenges remain. Professor Sakai’s team, for instance, needed to review around 36 AI-generated leads to confirm one genuine geoglyph. Still, the speed of AI-driven data processing ensures that archaeologists can concentrate on the most promising sites and direct their time to crucial discoveries. As AI systems advance, they enhance the accuracy of research, streamlining excavation methods and helping archaeologists prioritize sites for preservation.
AI in archaeology is in its initial stages, but the promise it holds is increasingly clear. With further advancements, archaeologists will be able to uncover hidden civilizations, rediscover lost artifacts, and reconstruct historical landscapes. The union of AI, machine learning, and remote sensing not only hastens discoveries but also ensures endangered locations are identified and safeguarded. Rather than replacing the vital role of archaeologists, AI amplifies their capability to explore, interpret, and protect our shared past.
Source: https://indiandefencereview.com/artificial-intelligence-solve-archaeology/