Mysterious ‘holes’ in the Andes may have been an ancient marketplace, study suggests
Evidence supports a new theory for the purpose of Monte Sierpe (aka Band of Holes)
University of Sydney
9-Nov-2025
Mysterious ‘holes’ in the Andes may have been an ancient marketplace, study suggests
University of Sydney
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 consists of over 5000 precisely aligned holes. This striking, yet puzzling, site has baffled researchers and public audiences for decades.
To shed new light on this ambiguous feature of Peru’s ancient landscape, an international research team led by Dr Bongers combined microbotanical analysis of sediment samples from the holes with high-resolution aerial imagery, presenting new insights into Monte Sierpe’s organisation and use at both micro and macro scales. Sediment analysis and drone photography of Monte Sierpe supports a new interpretation of this mysterious landscape feature as an Indigenous barter marketplace and accounting system.
Journal
Antiquity
image:
Dr Jacob Bongers at the University of Sydney, holding a drone. Credit: Stefanie Zingsheim/University of Sydney.
view moreCredit: Stefanie Zingsheim/University of Sydney.
Method of Research
Data/statistical analysis
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Indigenous accounting and exchange at Monte Sierpe (‘Band of Holes’) in the Pisco Valley, Peru
Article Publication Date
10-Nov-2025
COI Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. This research was funded by a Franklin Research Grant, the University of South Florida office of the Dean and the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles. The authors thank the Peruvian Ministry of Culture for granting us a permit (000318-2024-DCIA-DGPA-VMPCIC/MC) that allowed us to carry out this study. Open access funding provided by the University of Sydney.
Dr Jacob Bongers, digital archaeologist, University of Sydney
Credit
Stefanie Zingsheim/University of Sydney
Dr Jacob Bongers landing a drone in Peru.
Credit
Jorge Rodriguez/Supplied University of Sydney
Figure 1. An aerial photograph of Monte Sierpe taken by Robert Shippee and published by the National Geographic Society in 1933 (photo reproduced courtesy of the American Natural History Museum; AMNH Library negative no. 334709).
Credit
Robert Shippee/photo reproduced courtesy of the American Natural History Museum; AMNH Library negative no. 334709
Figure 3. Monte Sierpe: a–c) aerial photographs of the Band of Holes and its surrounding environment; d) ground-level photograph of the holes (photos a-c by J.L. Bongers; photo d by C. Stanish).
Credit
Photos a-c by J.L. Bongers; photo d by C. Stanish).
Figure 9. Khipu found near Pisco now held in the Ethnologisches Museum, Berlin: top) VA 16135a; bottom) VA 16135b (© Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, photographs by Claudia Obrocki; made available via CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license).
Credit
© Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, photographs by Claudia Obrocki; made available via CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
Figure 2. The Pisco Valley in southern Peru (figure by J.L. Bongers).
Credit
Figure by J.L. Bongers/University of Sydney
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