WHAT IS THIS? The Mysterious 'Band of Holes' in the Peruvian Mountains | Ancient Architects

In Peru’s Pisco Valley, across the rugged Cajamarquilla Plain, we find this incredible feature known as the Band of Holes.

What we are looking at is a highly unusual feature, being thousands of small depressions running upslope, but what is it? Is it some kind of Nazca-inspired geoglyph, a defensive barrier or something else? Who was the culture behind it and when was it made?

Taking a closer look and there are around 7,000 depressions, all of which are around 3 feet across and 20 to 40 inches deep. The band of holes itself is 65 feet wide and it extends for nearly a mile.

In this video I investigate the mysterious 'Band of Holes' in the Peruvian Mountains and give two possible explanations for what we are looking it.

Please subscribe to Ancient Architects, Like the video and please leave a comment below. All images are taken from Google Images and Google Earth for educational purposes only.

#AncientArchitects #Inca #BandOfHoles

[leonardhussey]

(From Peru) These were, past tense, dew collectors. All along the cloudy sections of the Coastal desert. Climate bands shifted and most of these are today mostly unoperational. Studied these, and the pottery, intensely some decade and a half ago. LH

[grugnotice]

Somehow I am reminded of the story of the man who caught a leprechaun and made him lead him to his treasure. When they got there the man tied a red handkerchief on a bush right next to it, and went off to get his tools, making the leprechaun agree not to remove the marker. When the man returned with his shovel and such, he found a red handkerchief tied to every bush in the forest.

I'm not saying it was leprechauns, but it was leprechauns.

[petermorelli]

I've seen agriculture have similar types of holes in low water areas. The hole helps collect water, shield the plant from wind and give it some shade in mornings and afternoons in high heat areas

[nearsightedfromthefarside]

Always draw a map when you bury treasure...

[roxiecotton]

I feel like the rain water collection makes more sense than the taxes thing.

[birdmannpk]

There are some vineyards in The Canary Islands that look like this. The vines are in the center of the hole and the bowl shape helps conserve water for the vine.

[MarcuSanti]

It sort of reminds me of the vineyards that can be found on Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. Farmers there dig similar depressions into hillsides to help protect young plants from being uprooted by aggressive winds.

[paulmartin]

Water collection for sure. That could explain the pottery found also.

[MelissaThompson]

Intuitively, when I first saw the holes, I thought "water collection, " but I couldn't figure out how that would work. Your theory makes perfect sense. I've seen the runoff from heavy rains pour right down a slope and leave the ground beneath the surface completely dry.
This is a genius solution.

[JonnoPlays]

Awesome video as always! I've never heard of this before. I think the water theory holds water personally.

[lambert]

I love how diverse the topics you cover and your presentation is fantastic. Big fan.

[Galiuros]

Giving rain water a place to puddle and filter through the ground to help recharge an aquifer makes more sense than some of the other theories I've read about the band of holes. The way you think outside of the box is what keeps me coming back to your videos. Thanks.

[clintl]

Maybe this was a prequel to the movie, “Holes”?

[demonhighwayman]

My first thought - agriculture. Some special crop which needed the altitude and a dry climate.

[peterhorne]

Matt, this is interesting and may help explain similar batches of holes found on the plains of Nazca! Perhaps they were also used to catch and store rain water.

[richardsleep]

Fascinating as always, thanks. I like your theory, backed up by many comments below.

[davebullard]

I like the idea. I wonder how whomever built this came up with it. If it's true as stated, it implies a pretty advanced understanding of geology and the creation of aquifers. How would they know the composition of the rock without some sort of survey? How would they measure it's efficacy? I would expect that the creation of water management features of this scale would have developed over time with many many iterations. I would expect to see other examples.

[coelacanth]

I've never heard of these before, they are very intriguing but I have no idea what they might be. You make such interesting videos!

[snoripper]

Recharging their aquifer makes as much sense as any theory I have heard for this strange site. Water is life.

[adrianneavenicci]

Absolutely fascinating. What an incredible people they were.