From AI deciphering lost texts to a secret about our human relatives, here are some of the new breakthroughs in archaeology we may see in 2024.
In 2024, we can expect to see a number of new finds and advances in archaeology. New AI techniques may lead to a wave of lost texts being rediscovered, and similar techniques may be used to track down stolen artifacts. We may also see the discovery of new inscriptions at one particular site and answer a key question about our closest human relatives.AI for war-torn areas
2024 is not shaping up to be a good year for global peace. The Russian invasion of Ukraine will be entering its third year, while wars rage in Gaza, Sudan and Ethiopia, among other places. With all these conflicts, it becomes increasingly challenging to monitor damaged and looted archaeological sites and to search for stolen antiquities. In 2024, we may see new and innovative approaches for doing so.
Artificial intelligence (AI) programs may be used to analyze high-resolution satellite imagery of looted or damaged sites more quickly and more thoroughly than the human eye can. We may also see the use of increasingly sophisticated robots entering dangerous areas to monitor archaeological remains that are at high risk of destruction or looting. These robots may be able to send imagery, and perhaps even perform simple conservation measures. Similarly, we may see the increased use of AI programs that can prowl the internet and identify artifacts that have likely been looted or stolen.
AI programs are already being used to help identify archaeological sites, such as new Nazca lines. Similarly robots are already used to monitor archaeological sites such as a dog shaped robot called Spot that monitors parts of Pompeii searching for structural damage.
