What is a quipu?
Quick Answer
A quipu is an Inca recording system made of knotted cords used for accounting and possibly more. It was used in the Andes before and during the Spanish conquest.
The Full Story
Quipus, also spelled khipus, were devices made of colored strings and knots arranged in patterns. The Inca used them extensively for tracking numbers such as tribute, storage, and census information. Most known quipus are administrative records, but scholars continue to investigate whether some also recorded narrative or historical data. They were part of a sophisticated Andean information system in a society that did not use a conventional alphabetic script. Surviving quipus provide valuable insight into Inca governance and recordkeeping.
Key Facts
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"Before paper, the Inca used knots to store information—how did quipus work?"