Black Stones of Ica

Unraveling a captivating archaeological mystery with the potential to upend our understanding of global history – Ica Black Stones. Official sources remain conspicuously silent on these enigmatic artifacts, with travel guides at best sparing a mere mention of them. Why the hushed tones? Simply put, no scholar dares to grapple with their enigma within the confines of existing theories on the world's development. The scientific community shies away from a radical reevaluation of its perceptions of the history of civilizations.

What about these stones send shivers down the spines of scholars?

The Ica Black Stones, adorned with intricate engravings, depict various facets of ancient society: daily life, cosmic exploration, medical procedures, animals, and more. It is precisely the narratives woven into the stone images that compel the scientific community to turn a blind eye to their very existence. Many of the depicted scenarios are simply inconceivable: intricate surgical operations, human and animal embryology, and interactions between humans, dinosaurs, and other extinct creatures. Ica Black Stones beckon us to confront the unthinkable, challenging our understanding of history and pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible in the ancient world.

Ica stones

Nearly a third of the stones in the Cabrera collection, the most extensive collection of Ica stones available to us, boast illustrations featuring dinosaurs and mammals. Remarkably, these depictions align with the contemporary scientific understanding that these creatures became extinct long before humans set foot in America. What's even more astounding is the sheer abundance and diversity of images portraying extinct animals. Dr. Cabrera, in his analysis, could only identify those creatures within the scope of his somewhat superficial knowledge of paleontology. Ica stones thus unfold a tapestry of prehistoric life that challenges the very timeline and narrative we thought we knew.
Among the most prevalent depictions on the Black Stones of Iki are Triceratops, Stegosaurs, various species of sauropod dinosaurs (including Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus), Pterosaurs, Iguanodons, and various predatory reptiles. What truly stands out is the pivotal detail that, in the majority of instances, dinosaurs are portrayed in intimate interaction with humans. 

Ica stones 


Many series of the Ica stones depict scenes that bear witness to an unparalleled level of medical advancement in this ancient civilization. Among the most striking narratives are those portraying organ transplant surgeries, with a particular emphasis on heart transplants. In one series, the entire process of transplanting a heart from a young man to an elderly individual unfolds, including a scene depicting the postoperative rehabilitation of the patient. In this mesmerizing tableau, the patient is intricately connected to the circulatory system of a pregnant woman through a system of tubes.

Within the Ica collection, there are several dozen stones adorned with drawings depicting the enigmatic Nasca Lines. The Nasca Plateau itself lies approximately 150 km from the city of Iki. Despite decades of research into this monumental site, modern scientists have yet to provide a coherent explanation for either its purpose or the methods employed in its creation. 

Ica stones 

Incan chronicler Juan de Santa Cruz Pachacuti's was the first one who mentioned these stones in "Relacion de antique dades d´este reyno del Peru" (1570). He vividly described the presence of numerous stones adorned with intricately engraved patterns in the vicinity of the modern province of Ica.

In the mid-20th century, these stones became hot commodities on the clandestine market in Peru. Illegal relic hunters, known as "huaqueros," unearthed them from the sepulchers of pre-Incan civilizations. The 1960s witnessed the burgeoning interest of Dr. Javier Cabrera (1924-2001) in these stones. He not only began acquiring them from antiquities seekers but also embarked on the passionate endeavor of curating a collection. Driven by a relentless curiosity, he devoted over four decades of his life to the thorough investigation and scrutiny of the enigmatic Ica stones.

His collection of stones stands as the most extensive, boasting over 11,000 specimens. Worldwide, estimates suggest there are approximately 50,000 of such stones. Ranging from petite specimens with a weight of 15-20 grams to the colossal ones reaching up to 500 kg and towering to a height of 1.5 meters, these stones captivate with their diverse sizes and intriguing engravings.

Despite the skepticism from contemporary mainstream science, certain scholars take these stones seriously based on a multitude of compelling factors:


1. Scale: Engraving such intricate designs on tens of thousands of stones, some weighing up to half a ton, poses an immensely labor-intensive, time-consuming, and complex task. This endeavor would demand substantial human and technical resources. The perplexing aspect arises when considering that, during the mid-20th century, "huaqueros" were selling their findings for a mere pittance – an incongruity given the monumental effort involved in creating these carvings. The question remains: why invest such colossal effort for minimal financial return?

2. Details: The creation of such intricate depictions required an expansive knowledge base spanning medicine, paleozoology, astronomy, and more. Some medical procedures depicted on the stones were inconceivable in the mid-20th century, and some remain beyond our current capabilities. The stones portray dinosaurs and other extinct animals with such precision that certain details were not known until the 1990s when the first remains of such species were discovered. The question arises: how could the creators of these stones possess information ahead of their time, surpassing the scientific knowledge available in the 1960s?

3. Engraving Technique: Experts have conducted experiments using tools made of obsidian, silicon, and bronze (replicas obtained for experimentation in museums). Surprisingly, these tools left no significant traces on the surface of the stones. Even steel instruments could only create minor scratches. Through meticulous experimentation, specialists have concluded that the most comparable marks to the engraving technique found on the Ica stones are produced by a milling machine, specifically a rotary drill. This revelation adds another layer of mystery, prompting us to ponder: how did ancient craftsmen possess technology that aligns with modern machinery?

4. Examination Findings: In 1967, Dr. Cabrera submitted 33 stone samples, including those adorned with depictions of extinct animals, for examination by "Mauricio Hochschild Mining Co." Geologists unequivocally stated in their report that the patina (a natural oxide film) covered both the stone surfaces and the lines of the engravings. According to their analysis, this indicated the antiquity of the specimens. Furthermore, the conclusion highlighted that the edges of the engraved lines exhibited minimal signs of wear and damage. This suggests that the stones were not in use for an extended period but were rather promptly interred after their creation, adding a layer of intrigue to their mysterious origins.


Indeed, it's crucial to acknowledge that the Ica stones are not isolated in challenging the official scientific narrative of the world's development. This raises the intriguing possibility of an alternative perspective on the history of civilizations. The presence of such anomalies prompts us to question whether there might be undiscovered chapters in the human story, waiting to be unveiled, and whether our understanding of the past is yet to embrace unconventional dimensions. The Ica stones, in this context, stand as enigmatic artifacts that beckon us to explore beyond the boundaries of conventional wisdom and consider the existence of civilizations and knowledge far more advanced than we currently comprehend.

Where to Witness the Ica Stones

The Ica Stones can be encountered at the Javier Cabrera Museum in the city of Ica, located to the south of Lima. As this is a private collection, arranging a visit to the museum requires prior coordination with Dr. Cabrera (Jr.). We facilitate individual tours to the Stone Museum on any day except Sunday. Please reach out to us for more detailed information.

Museum AddressCalle Bolivar 170 Plaza de Armas, Ica

Exploring the museum offers an opportunity to combine the visit with exploring other landmarks in Ica.

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          Natalia Volchkova
Natalia Volchkova
Travel Consultant, Expert in Peru