Executive Summary
- University of South Florida professor Charles Stanish identified the “Band of Holes” as an Incan agricultural accounting system.
- Drone mapping revealed the 5,200 pits were organized in mathematical segments mirroring Incan khipus recording devices.
- Microbotanical analysis confirmed the presence of maize and transport reeds, proving human placement rather than natural formation.
- Researchers are urging Peruvian authorities to protect the site from potential agricultural development and irrigation.
A long-running investigation led by a University of South Florida archaeologist has determined that the mysterious “Band of Holes” in Peru served as a sophisticated accounting and storage system for the Incan civilization. Charles Stanish, a professor of archaeology, alongside Dr. Jacob Bongers of the University of Sydney, utilized advanced drone technology and soil analysis to identify the site’s function, debunking previous theories ranging from water storage to extraterrestrial intervention.
Stanish and Bongers focused their research on the Pisco Valley site, known locally as Monte Sierpe or “Serpent Mountain,” which contains approximately 5,200 shallow pits carved into the hillside. According to Stanish, data collected during field expeditions suggested the indentations began as a rudimentary marketplace during the pre-Inca period before being adapted by the Incan civilization into a complex system for agricultural management.
Using advanced drone technology, the team conducted the first comprehensive aerial mapping of the area. The researchers reported that the high-resolution images revealed “striking patterns” in the organization of the holes. Stanish noted that the rows, measuring between 3 and 6.5 feet wide, appeared segmented and mathematically structured in a layout that mirrored khipus, the knotted-string devices used by the Inca for record-keeping and counting.
To corroborate the aerial data, the team performed microbotanical analysis on sediment samples extracted from the pits. According to the findings, fossilized seeds found within the holes included traces of crops such as maize, as well as wild plants traditionally used for weaving and packaging. “We proved that the seeds didn’t fly in, they weren’t airborne, they had to be put there by humans,” Stanish stated, noting the discovery of reeds and willows historically used to transport commodities.
Archaeological Impact & Preservation
The confirmation of Monte Sierpe as an agricultural logistics and accounting site provides significant insight into the administrative capabilities of the Incan Empire. By correlating the physical layout of the landscape with the mathematical structure of khipus, researchers have established a tangible link to Incan statecraft and economic management. The immediate priority for the scientific community now shifts to the preservation of the site against agricultural encroachment, as researchers advocate for Peruvian authorities to officially recognize the location’s historical value to prevent irreversible damage from potential private irrigation projects.
