Quipu
1 of 5
Object Label
This administrative quipu, which consists of three different quipus attached along the primary cord, was used to record statistical information, such as taxes, census data, and storehouse inventories (see illustration).
Administrative quipus are characterized by pendant cords with tiers of knots separated by spaces that indicate decimal values—what we would understand as the individual columns of digits in a numbering system, such as units (1 through 9), tens, hundreds, and thousands. The twist direction of the cords is almost always Z-spun and S-plied. The Inca used three main knots (visible on this quipu) to signify numerical values: figure-eight knots, long knots, and single knots. Each knot type signified a different unit of measurement (see diagram).
Cord color also had significance; however, its meaning is at present unknown. The plain white, reddish-brown, and tan cords on the right are blanks for future use.
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Este quipu administrativo, compuesto de tres quipus distintos adjuntos a lo largo de la cuerda primaria, fue utilizado para registrar información estadística, como índices de impuestos, datos del censo e inventarios de almacenes (ver ilustración).
Los quipus administrativos se caracterizan por tener unas cuerdas colgantes con hileras de nudos separados por espacios que indican valores decimales, lo que para nosotros serían columnas individuales de dígitos en un sistema numérico, como unidades (1 al 9), decenas, centenas y millares. La orientación del giro de las cuerdas es casi siempre hilado en S, y cruzado en Z. Los incas usaban tres nudos principales (visibles en este quipu) para indicar valores numéricos: nudos con forma de 8, nudos largos y nudos individuales. Cada nudo significa una unidad diferente de medida (ver diagrama).
El color de la cuerda también tenía importancia; sin embargo, su significado hasta hoy es desconocido. Las cuerdas lisas de color blanco, marrón rojizo y bronce a mano derecha, están disponibles para uso futuro.
Caption
Inca (attrib by Nobuko Kajatani and Anne Rowe, 1993); Late Horizon (range attrib by NK and Anne Rowe, 1993). Quipu, 1400–1532. Cotton, 15 3/8 x 30 5/16 in. (39 x 77 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Ernest Erickson, 70.177.69. Creative Commons-BY
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Quipu
Date
1400–1532
Period
Pre-Columbian
Medium
Cotton
Classification
Dimensions
15 3/8 x 30 5/16 in. (39 x 77 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Ernest Erickson
Accession Number
70.177.69
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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Frequent Art Questions
I was wondering, who owns a quipu? An individual or government?
The quipu could be considered the property of the government in some cases, especially the administrative ones. Specially trained record-keepers called khipukamayuq (“knot-makers” or “knot-keepers”), constructed, maintained, and read that data. It was the khipukamayuq who likely held the quipu in their possession. But they were employees of the state. Does that make sense?Yes, thank you.What do these quipu say? What did they kept track of?
Well the historical quipu, used by the Inca and other ancient Andean cultures could be used to record information. They are separated into two broad categories, Administrative and Narrative.Administrative quipus kept track of things like census or tax information whereas Narrative quipus are thought to record information like stories, genealogies, even poetry!Although a lot of information regarding how to read quipus is lost, Scholars are closest to understanding administrative quipus. The different kinds of knots and the location where they are tied on the strings are representative of numbers!Excellent. Thank you!You're welcome!What is a "quipu?"
A quipu is a method of recording information used in the Andes since ancient times. The object itself is made from a series of strings of different colors and materials that have been knotted in specific ways to encode information.The exhibition of Vicuña's work alongside some historical quipu from our collection uses the form of the quipu to address the history of the Andean region.
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