Researchers Find More Mysterious Biomorphs in Peru’s Nazca Lines

• Japanese archeologists and Peruvian researchers have discovered new geoglyphs within the Nazca lines.
• On Peru’s south Pacific coast, 168 geoglyphs showed cats, killer whales and snakes.
• The carved figures are 6-19 feet long and average between 100 BCE-300 CE.

Researchers and archeologists discovered 168 more geoglyphs in the Nazca lines after two years of scanning Peru’s south Pacific coast with drones, taking photos from the air, and conducting field surveys.

The massive, carved trenches — attributed by some to aliens — are the latest addition to over 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures, and 70 animal and plant designs, which also called biomorphs, according to National Geographic.

According to the latest discoveries, the carved figures are between 6 and 18 feet in length. They include the outlined figures from cats, killer whales, and even alpacas. a statementYamagata University, who led the research, released the results. The lines previously known can reach as high as 1,200 feet.

Researchers from Yamagata University, who conducted the mapping with help from Peruvian archaeologists, estimate the geoglyphs date between 100 BCE and 300 CE — approximately 1,700 to 2,100 years ago.

Yamagata University researchers will work with IBM’s T.J. Watson Research Centre to conduct an AI-based study of the distribution patterns in the most recent Nazca geoglyphs. Art News reported.

The AI-based study is an expansion previous research the scholars have conducted, which revealed 142 additional Nazca formations — including images of birds, monkeys, fish, snakes, and foxes.

Yamagata University had previously announced the discovery of 41 geoglyphs within this area in 2014/2015. This collaboration led to the creation of a park for them in 2017 with the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.” a statementYamagata University announced the discovery. “With this discovery we now know that there are 77 geoglyphs concentrated in this archaeological park.

Luis Jaime Castillo (a Peruvian archaeologist) told the story The GuardianHe believes that only 5% of all Nazca lines have been discovered so far.

The reason for the creation the Nazca lines is still unknown. However, some archaeologists believe that the shapes were used to provide irrigation lines or a sacred purpose. Local guides believe that the lines could be connected to water sources and maps.

First formally studied in 1926Researchers remain unsure of the exact methods used to create these lines. This is due to their size which makes it difficult to identify them from ground level. 

“These geoglyphs were made by removing black rocks from the earth’s surface to expose a white sandy below,” reads the author. the statementYamagata University. It is not known how the blackstone was removed. 

Pop culture has raised questions about the mystery figures. created by alien visitors or as landing strips for ancient astronauts — particularly because they’re only recognizable from the air and human creators would have had no way of viewing their work with the limited technology of 2,000 years ago.  

The ongoing geoglyph research aims to reveal a pattern to lines and has drawn boundaries to allow for the UNESCO World Heritage siteThe southern coast of Peru, which is Reuters reportsUrban and economic development are threatening the survival of the country.

“Some geoglyphs are at risk of being destroyed because of the recent expansion mining-related workshops inside the archaeological park,” Masato Sukai, Yamagata University professor, who led the study. told Reuters.

Insider reached Yamagata University representatives but they did not immediately respond.