Can we translate ancient Inca knotted cords into modern digital spreadsheets?
In short: The khipu was an ingenious device used by the Wari and Inca to store data through complex systems of knotted and coloured cords. This video explores the ongoing effort to decode these records and transition them into contemporary open-source databases.
The khipu functioned as a sophisticated alternative to traditional counting systems. By manipulating twisted, coloured cords, the Wari and later the Inca recorded vital statistics, such as community population sizes and agricultural harvest yields. While their primary utility as a data storage tool is clear, researchers are still investigating the full extent of their capabilities.
Historical accounts from Spanish chroniclers suggest that khipu were not limited to numerical data; they likely preserved complex cultural information, including poems, songs, and historical narratives. The British Museum exhibition 'Peru: a journey in time,' which ran until 20 February 2022, highlighted these artifacts in collaboration with the Museo de Arte de Lima.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Migrating ancient Inca data to an opensource database | Khipu to Excel | Curator's Corner S6 Ep10
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