Something about the quipus

Abstract

This article comments on modern quipus used by indigenous shepherds of the Angasmarca farm to keep livestock accounts. The author describes the knots and colors in detail, comparing them with ancient quipus described by Garcilaso and with Bolivian contemporary examples from Cutusuma, noting similarities in the decimal hierarchy of knots but differences in the making of the cords. He concludes that, after the disappearance of the quipucamayos (cord keepers, official accountants) and the amautas (wise men), the historical interpretive key was lost; thus modern quipus are reduced to simple mnemonic counting devices and are no more a form of writing.