New Findings Uncover the Purpose of 5,200 Pits at Monte Sierpe in Peru
The 5,200 holes dug into a mountain in Peru are no longer a mystery, and the explanation changes what we knew about their ancient economy
The Economic TimesImage: The Economic Times
Recent research at Monte Sierpe, a site in the Pisco Valley of Peru, reveals that the 5,200 pits were likely part of an ancient marketplace used for trade without currency. The study suggests these pits were strategically designed for organizing goods and may relate to the Inca accounting system known as Khipus.
- 01Monte Sierpe contains 5,200 pits that were previously a mystery to researchers.
- 02New studies indicate these pits served as an ancient marketplace for trade without currency.
- 03The arrangement of the pits suggests a deliberate design, not random or symbolic.
- 04Evidence of ancient crops like maize and squash indicates goods were stored or displayed in the pits.
- 05The structure may relate to the Inca Khipus system, suggesting a sophisticated economic organization.
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Monte Sierpe, located in the Pisco Valley of Peru, has intrigued archaeologists for over a century due to its 5,200 small pits. Recent research led by Dr. Jacob Bongers from the University of Sydney utilized high-resolution drone mapping to reveal that these pits are not randomly placed but organized in distinct blocks, suggesting a deliberate design. Analysis of sediment samples uncovered ancient plant materials, indicating that the pits may have been used to store or display goods, possibly in woven containers. This site, dating back to the 14th century during the Chincha Kingdom's rule, likely functioned as an open-air marketplace without currency. The arrangement of the pits resembles the Inca Khipus, a system of knotted strings used for record-keeping, hinting at a complex economic system in ancient Andean society. Monte Sierpe transforms our understanding of ancient trade and organization, demonstrating that innovation can be intricately carved into the landscape.
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This research alters the understanding of ancient trade practices in the region, suggesting a more complex economic system than previously thought.
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