What was the Band of Holes for?
Most likely: the band was a Chincha barter marketplace where goods were laid out in holes, later used under the Inca to…Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.
Where it stands
Six answers have been proposed. The band was a Chincha barter marketplace where goods were laid out in holes, later used under the Inca to… leads, with evidence 4 for, 1 against: partly supported by its tests. Five are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, none is answered yet.
Why it matters
A 1.5 km band of 5200 regular holes is unique in the Andes, and its function has been guessed at since 1933[1]. The 2025 study offers the first evidence-based test of the rival ideas.
Answers 6
History
- Hyslop puts forward: the holes were storage pits along the Inca road.
- Medrano & Khosla: cord groups of 10, 11 or 12 on the Pisco khipu VA 16135 resemble the sectioned layout.For: The band was a Chincha barter marketplace where goods were laid out in holes, later used under the Inca to…
- Bongers et al. puts forward: the band was a Chincha barter marketplace where goods were laid out in holes, later used under the Inca to…
- Bongers et al. puts forward: the band was a defensive obstacle, like the Iron Age pit belts of northern Europe.
- Bongers et al. puts forward: the holes caught fog or water to grow plants in sunken gardens.
- Bongers et al. puts forward: the holes were graves or mining pits.
- Bongers et al.: rows within sections repeat fixed hole counts (e.g. nine rows of eight; rows alternating seven and eight).For: The band was a Chincha barter marketplace where goods were laid out in holes, later used under the Inca to…
- Bongers et al.: the counting layout and crossing gaps between sections suit display and tallying more than storage.Against: The holes were storage pits along the Inca road.
- Bongers et al.: crop pollen and basketry plants fit goods placed in the holes.For: The holes were storage pits along the Inca road.
- Bongers et al.: no fortification, attack evidence or slingstones along the band.Against: The band was a defensive obstacle, like the Iron Age pit belts of northern Europe.
- Bongers et al.: no rain at this altitude, no groundwater on the slope, and fog oases too brief to grow maize.Against: The holes caught fog or water to grow plants in sunken gardens.
- Bongers et al.: no human remains except a few intrusive tombs at the south end; no copper or silver ore.Against: The holes were graves or mining pits.
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