quipu

(noun)

A knotted textile piece found at the Caral site, believed to be used for record-keeping.

Related Terms

Examples of quipu 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) are 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.