5,200 holes carved into a Peruvian mountain left by an ancient economy

4 days ago

Monte Sierpe, a Peruvian hillside with thousands of holes, has puzzled scientists for nearly a century.
Researchers from the University of Sydney propose the holes were part of an indigenous trade and accounting system from the Late Intermediate Period (1000-1450 CE).
The site features around 5,200 shallow pits arranged in numerical patterns, resembling Inca khipu accounting devices.
Soil analysis revealed ancient pollens of maize, reeds, squash, cotton, and other crops, suggesting goods were stored or traded here.
The site may have functioned as a pre-Inca marketplace, facilitating trade among local and mobile traders.
Radiocarbon dating indicates active use in the 14th century during the Chincha Kingdom's dominance.
The holes likely served as markers of equivalence in a society without currency, later repurposed by the Inca for accounting.
The study, published in Antiquity, provides the strongest evidence yet for the site's purpose but many questions remain.

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