Recent study shows even commoners used elaborate Inca recordkeeping knots

In the expansive Inca Empire, bureaucrats utilized a sophisticated system of knotted cords known as khipu to meticulously document various aspects of society, including population counts, taxes, agricultural yields, and even commodities like textiles and beverages. Historically, it was believed that the knowledge of khipu was reserved for an elite group of officials, due to the complexity involved in their construction and interpretation. However, a groundbreaking study has emerged that challenges this long-held assumption. Researchers from the University of St. Andrews, led by archaeologist Sabine Hyland, recently examined a sample of hair from a khipu dating back to approximately 1498 CE. Initially, the high-quality craftsmanship of the khipu suggested it was created by someone of considerable status. Yet, the analysis revealed that the individual responsible for this intricate work had a diet typical of a common person. Hyland expressed her surprise upon receiving the findings, which indicated that the khipu was not solely the product of elite knowledge. The khipu was composed of knotted strands made from camelid fibers, most likely from an alpaca or llama, and included a remarkable 104-centimeter length of human hair twisted into a robust cord. This personal touch was not merely decorative; in Inca culture, hair represented a person’s spiritual essence, and it also provided a chemical record of their diet and lifestyle. These findings reveal that the ability to understand and create khipu extended beyond the elite, suggesting that even ordinary individuals possessed a familiarity with this intricate numerical recording system, thereby enriching our understanding of Inca society and its complexities.