quipus

(noun)

Brightly colored knotted strings that recorded numerical information, such as taxes, goods, and labor, using the base number of 10 to record data in knots.

Related Terms

Examples of quipus in the following topics:

  • The Caral Civilization

    • This peaceful, urban center yielded several major discoveries, including a method of keeping records known as quipu.
    • One of the artifacts found at Caral is a knotted textile piece named a quipu, which archaeologists believe was a method of keeping records.

  • Administration of the Inca Empire

    • Quipus (also spelled khipus) were colorful bunches of knotted strings that recorded census data, taxes, calendrical information, military organization, and accounting information.
    • The Spanish burned the vast majority of existing quipus when they arrived in South America.