The Inca empire managed its vast expansion using a sophisticated system of knotted strings.
In short: Discover the khipu, an ingenious record-keeping device that functioned as a pre-colonial spreadsheet. By using colored, twisted, and knotted cords, the Inca tracked vital data like population counts and food harvests, potentially fueling their rapid imperial growth.
Originally introduced by the Wari people, the khipu was refined by the Inca into a complex information storage system. While these devices are primarily recognized for their utility in accounting, historical accounts from Spanish chroniclers suggest they served a much broader purpose, preserving narratives, poetry, and songs.
The exact mechanics of how these knotted records were read remain a subject of ongoing study. The British Museum exhibition 'Peru: a journey in time,' organized in collaboration with the Museo de Arte de Lima, showcased these artifacts until February 20, 2022.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Inca Khipu: The record and writing system made entirely of knots | Curator's Corner S6 Ep9
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