Google researcher discovers unmapped Maya site in Mexico using 48 AI agents
AI tech is quickly transforming many different fields of research, including archaeology, as this discovery shows.
A Google researcher has uncovered what appears to be an undiscovered Maya site in Mexico, using an AI system composed of 48 agents. The discovery was made through an analysis of LiDAR data, or Light Detection and Ranging, collected by Mexico's national archaeology institute. AI agents, which are adept at identifying patterns in large datasets, flagged the site.
Pietro Miotti, a Google researcher, had the idea to employ AI for this task while on vacation. The AI identified multiple structures that could be buildings, eventually pinpointing a site not previously documented in scientific literature. Miotti immediately contacted Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) with the findings, and they are now investigating the site.
While the status of the site as a Maya site has yet to be confirmed, the discovery highlights the potential of AI in archaeological research. Miotti envisions a future where LiDAR imaging and AI bots could scan the entire planet, potentially revealing numerous hidden archaeological sites.
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