Money and power underlie mysterious Andean ‘band of holes’

Money and power underlie mysterious Andean ‘band of holes’

The purpose of the pre-Hispanic Monte Sierpe site in Peru has long baffled researchers. The purpose of the pre-Hispanic Monte Sierpe site in Peru has long baffled researchers.

Study suggests mysterious holes in the Andes may have been an ancient marketplace

Evidence supports a new theory for the purpose of Monte Sierpe in southern Peru, also known as the Band of Holes. New research from the University of Sydney has uncovered compelling evidence that brings us closer to solving the mystery behind one of the most unique archaeological sites in the Andes. Monte Sierpe (translated as 'serpent mountain' and known colloquially as the 'Band of Holes') is located in the Pisco Valley of southern Peru and co…

Drone Mapping Offers Insight into Peru’s “Band of Holes” - Archaeology Magazine

A group of aligned holes at Monte Sierpe, Peru SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA—According to a statement released by the University of Sydney, a team of researchers led by digital archaeologist Jacob Bongers has mapped the more than 5,000 aligned holes on Monte Sierpe in southern Peru’s Pisco Valley with drone technology. They found that the arrangement of the so-called “Band of Holes” is similar to at least one Inca khipu, an accounting device made of knotted…

Is this the real purpose of thousands of ancient holes on this Peruvian mountainside?

Early aerial photographs first highlighted the scale of Peru’s Monte Sierpe monument. Almost a century later, scientists have worked out what it might have been used for