Latest news with #geoglyphs
NHK
29-07-2025
- Science
- NHK
Japanese researchers discover more new geoglyphs at Nazca
Researchers from Japan's Yamagata University have announced that they discovered 248 new Nazca Line geoglyphs at the world heritage site in Peru. A team led by Sakai Masato, the deputy head of the university's Nazca institute, made the announcement on Monday at the Osaka Expo's Peru Pavilion. The researchers said they made the discoveries during field surveys using artificial intelligence conducted from 2023 through 2024. The geoglyphs reportedly include an image of what appears to be a priest holding a decapitated human head, as well as drawings of corn and a fox. The team reportedly confirmed several places where geoglyphs of apparently identical themes were concentrated. Sakai pointed out it is highly likely that the set of drawings told a story or a message. He said the drawings may have served as a form of media conveying the beliefs and memories of people back then. He described them as important clues as to why the Nazca Lines were made. Photos of the newly discovered geoglyphs will be on display at the Peru Pavilion through October.
Japan Times
29-07-2025
- Science
- Japan Times
Japanese researchers discover 248 Nazca Line geoglyphs in Peru
A team of researchers at Yamagata University announced on Monday the discovery of 248 new Nazca Line geoglyphs in Peru. The geoglyphs, which include drawings of humans, birds and llamas, were drawn along footpaths used by people in ancient times, with each path depicting a different theme, the research team said. In cooperation with IBM, the team identified the geoglyphs through field surveys conducted from 2023 to 2024 on sites selected from aerial photographs using artificial intelligence technology. Many of the geoglyphs measure around 10 meters in length. While one path features continuous images of priests holding human heads, or heads alone, another shows multiple depictions of llamas. The research team, which began work on the World Heritage drawings in 2004, has now identified a total of 893 geoglyphs. "The Nazca Line geoglyphs are not an independent artwork, but through various combinations and arrangements, they seem to play a role as media for conveying the faith and memories of that time," said Masato Sakai, a professor at the university who leads the research team. Photos of some of the geoglyphs will be displayed at the Peru Pavilion at the 2025 Osaka Expo until the event closes on Oct. 13.
