Research has uncovered significant insights into the production of khipus, the ancient record-keeping system of the Inca Empire. Traditionally believed to be crafted exclusively by elite officials, new findings indicate that commoners also participated in khipu creation, suggesting a broader literacy than previously understood.
For centuries, khipus—complex arrangements of knotted cords—served as vital tools for recording economic, religious, and demographic information within the Inca Empire, which thrived from approximately 1400 to 1532. Previous scholarship relied heavily on accounts from Spanish chroniclers, who described khipu makers as high-ranking bureaucrats enjoying privileged lifestyles.
The term for a khipu maker, khipu kamayuq, stems from the verb “kamay,” meaning to create or energize matter. This indicates that khipu makers imbued their creations with personal significance. A team led by Sabine Hyland, a Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews, has revealed compelling evidence that common individuals also had the ability to produce khipus.
One pivotal discovery involves the practice of attaching locks of hair to khipus. In Inca culture, hair was believed to carry an individual’s essence, making it a potent symbol of identity. This practice allows researchers to trace the contributions of various individuals to specific khipus, effectively signing their work with their own hair.
The research team observed over 90 ancestral khipus in the village of Jucul, Peru, including those dating back centuries. Notably, the presence of human hair on these khipus indicated that the creators were not solely elite officials. For instance, one particular khipu, identified as KH0631, featured a primary cord made entirely of human hair from a single individual, suggesting that the khipu was marked with this person’s authority.
In examining KH0631, the team employed isotopic analysis to determine dietary habits and geographic origins. The khipu’s hair was found to be approximately 104 cm long, folded and twisted, indicating more than eight years of growth. The isotopic results revealed that the individual who created KH0631 had a diet characteristic of low-status commoners, primarily consisting of tubers and greens, with minimal meat or maize.
This finding contrasts sharply with the diets of Inca elites, who were known to enjoy more diverse and meat-rich meals. The sulphur isotopes also indicated that the hair’s owner likely resided in the highlands, between 2,600 and 2,800 meters above sea level, rather than coastal regions, further supporting the notion that khipu-making was not exclusively an elite activity.
The isotopic analysis of KH0631 marks the first instance where human hair has been examined in relation to khipus, providing valuable insights into the social dynamics of the Inca Empire. By challenging the long-held belief that khipus were solely the domain of high-ranking officials, this research opens up new avenues for understanding the complexities of Inca society.
Hyland’s findings underscore the importance of reconsidering the role of commoners in the Inca Empire’s sophisticated systems of communication and record-keeping. As researchers continue to explore the significance of khipus, the revelations from Jucul may reshape our understanding of Inca literacy and social structure.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
