The Band of Holes, on Monte Sierpe (Serpent Mountain), Peru. There are around 5,200 aligned holes or pits, stretching for about 1.5 kilometres and thought to date back to around 1400. Some feel the pits - at the intersection of two Inca trade routes - may have been used to measure out goods for accounting and tax purposes. Others have suggested that the holes were graves or defensive fortifications or that they had a religious significance. #archaeology #history #mythology #folklore #architecture

The Band of Holes, on Monte Sierpe (Serpent Mountain), Peru. There are around 5,200 aligned holes or pits, stretching for about 1.5 kilometres and thought to date back to around 1400. Some feel the pits - at the intersection of two Inca trade routes - may have been used to measure out goods for accounting and tax purposes. Others have suggested that the holes were graves or defensive fortifications or that they had a religious significance. #archaeology #history #mythology #folklore #architecture

Two perforated altar reliefs from the Mithraeum at Mundelsheim. One depicts Sol, the sun god, with the radiant. The other shows Luna, the goddess of the moon, with the crescent.

In Roman times, they were illuminated from behind, creating a striking play of light and shadow that must have transformed the dark sanctuary into a dramatic stage.

Dating 2nd/3rd cantury AD.

📷 Landesmuseum Württemberg

#archaeology #romanarchaeology