A single lock of hair could rewrite what we know about Inca record-keeping.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Basilio, Humberto 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses new findings regarding the creation of khipus, the knotted cords used by the Inca Empire for record-keeping, suggesting that commoners, rather than just elite bureaucrats, were involved in their production. Analysis of a 500-year-old khipu made from human hair indicates that its maker had a diet typical of lower-status individuals, lacking the maize and meat associated with the Inca elite. This evidence challenges previous assumptions about literacy and numeracy in Inca society, indicating that these skills may have been more widespread and not limited to men. The study opens avenues for further research into the social dynamics of khipu-making and its continuity after the Spanish conquest. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2025/08, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2025
  • Accession Number:187394840
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