Podcast
Questions and Answers
What did the 1583 Third Lima Council decree regarding khipus?
What did the 1583 Third Lima Council decree regarding khipus?
Surviving khipus were always encouraged by Spanish administrators as records of pre-colonial traditions.
Surviving khipus were always encouraged by Spanish administrators as records of pre-colonial traditions.
False
Khipus wrapped around the waists of deceased community members are known as __________ khipus.
Khipus wrapped around the waists of deceased community members are known as __________ khipus.
funerary
Match the following khipu-related terms with their descriptions:
Match the following khipu-related terms with their descriptions:
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What factors contributed to the persistence of khipu literacy post-colonization?
What factors contributed to the persistence of khipu literacy post-colonization?
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The vast majority of Inka khipus from the highlands have survived intact due to their climatic conditions.
The vast majority of Inka khipus from the highlands have survived intact due to their climatic conditions.
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What was the primary purpose of khipus according to contemporary evidence found?
What was the primary purpose of khipus according to contemporary evidence found?
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What is the purpose of the kaytes in khipus?
What is the purpose of the kaytes in khipus?
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Early attempts to find a khipu 'alphabet' have been confirmed as highly accurate.
Early attempts to find a khipu 'alphabet' have been confirmed as highly accurate.
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Khipus were often buried with individuals without any accompanying artifacts.
Khipus were often buried with individuals without any accompanying artifacts.
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What challenge do researchers face when correlating khipus with spoken language?
What challenge do researchers face when correlating khipus with spoken language?
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The study of khipus involves an analysis of __________ to decipher their meaning.
The study of khipus involves an analysis of __________ to decipher their meaning.
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What was the role of a curaca in Inka society?
What was the role of a curaca in Inka society?
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Match the following locations with their associated findings:
Match the following locations with their associated findings:
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Only 16 out of 650 catalogued khipus contain kaytes.
Only 16 out of 650 catalogued khipus contain kaytes.
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Which of the following best describes the condition of the khipu found with the infant at Cerro Colorado?
Which of the following best describes the condition of the khipu found with the infant at Cerro Colorado?
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Most khipus found in graves have been well-documented by explorers.
Most khipus found in graves have been well-documented by explorers.
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What is the significance of the standardized notation format used in khipu documentation?
What is the significance of the standardized notation format used in khipu documentation?
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Our knowledge of Inka khipus has significantly diminished over time.
Our knowledge of Inka khipus has significantly diminished over time.
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What system do the majority of khipus conform to?
What system do the majority of khipus conform to?
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Study Notes
The Destruction of Khipus
- Spanish authorities viewed khipus as symbols of “ancient superstitions,” prompting the destruction of some khipus in the 16th century.
- This practice was not uniformly enforced as khipus were also used in Catholic indoctrination through the 17th century.
Khipus in Post-Colonial Period
- After Peruvian independence in 1821, khipus were seen primarily in agricultural and ritual contexts.
- Modern use of khipus show a wide range of styles and construction, offering insights into past practices.
Archaeological Evidence of Khipu Use
- Archaeological specimens, chronicles, and legal records provide contemporary evidence of khipu use in the Inca era.
- Khipus are primarily found in arid coastal regions due to the deterioration of khipus in wetter climates.
- Khipus have been recovered from Inka staging facilities, such as Inkawasi.
Khipus in Funerary Contexts
- The location and association of khipus with the deceased in burial sites offer clues to their function.
- Khipus have been found associated with both individuals and collective burials.
- They are often found in close proximity to human remains, suggesting a connection to the individuals.
Khipu Decipherment Efforts
- Researchers have attempted to correlate spoken languages with khipu constructs.
- Early attempts to identify a khipu “alphabet” were largely discredited due to faulty assumptions.
- Recent studies informed by ethnography and colonial records have yielded more cautious hypotheses.
- Some khipus have been associated with syllabic pronunciations of specific communities involved in anti-colonial rebellions.
Kaytes and Khipu Typology
- Kaytes, bundles attached to the end of primary khipu cords, are hypothesized to be subject markers and indicators of khipu genre.
- The existence of kaytes on a limited number of catalogued khipus has raised questions about how subject matter was indicated in other khipus.
- Other features, such as variations in the primary cord, might have served as subject markers in different khipus.
- Statistical analyses of features like the number of mathematical relationships and the density of equations can aid in classifying and understanding different types of khipus.
Cataloguing and Digitization
- Researchers have been diligently cataloguing and digitizing Inca khipus for over a century.
- These efforts aim to create comprehensive inventories of khipus in museums and private collections.
- The process involves detailed recording of khipu features, measurements, and photographic documentation.
- Such data provides a foundation for further research and advances in khipu decipherment.
Advancements in Khipu Research
- Ongoing research continues to expand our understanding of Inca khipus.
- Collections of khipus in various cultural institutions are being documented and digitized.
- Statistical analysis and data science techniques are increasingly employed in khipu studies.
- These advancements bring us closer to reading and understanding the primary sources of the Tawantinsuyu (the Inca Empire).
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Description
This quiz explores the historical significance and varied uses of khipus throughout different periods, including their destruction by the Spanish, agricultural roles in post-colonial Peru, and archaeological evidence from the Inca era. Delve into the fascinating context of these ancient records that intertwine with cultural practices and identity.
