Code of the Quipu facts for kids
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| Subject | The quipu in Inca culture |
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Publication date
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1981, 1997 |
Code of the Quipu is a fascinating book about the Inca people. It explores how they kept records using something called a quipu. A quipu is a special system of knotted strings.
The book was written by Marcia Ascher, a mathematician, and Robert Ascher, an anthropologist. It was first published in 1981 by the University of Michigan Press. Its full title was Code of the Quipu: A Study in Media, Mathematics, and Culture. Later, in 1997, Dover Books released a new version. They called it Mathematics of the Incas: Code of the Quipu.
Contents
Unlocking the Secrets of the Quipu
The book helps us understand how the Incas used quipus. They used them for important tasks like keeping track of numbers and taxes. Since the Incas didn't have a writing system like ours, quipus were their main way to record information.
Today, about 400 quipus still exist. The book studied 191 of these ancient knotted records. This helped the authors learn more about how they worked.
Math in the Knots
The book looks at the math behind the quipu system. The Incas used a decimal system, just like we do with numbers based on 10. They also understood the idea of place value, where a number's position changes its meaning.
The Incas even had a concept similar to zero. They could also represent rational numbers, which are like fractions. They used quipus for basic arithmetic calculations. The way the strings were arranged showed how information was organized. This included hierarchical (like a family tree) and categorical (like different types of items) data.
Beyond Just Numbers
The authors suggest that quipus were more than just number records. They believe quipus helped the Incas plan for future events. Some even think quipus might have been a form of writing for the Inca people.
The book also argues that quipus show important ideas in Inca culture. These ideas include balance and how things connect in space and in order of importance.
Exploring the Quipu World
The first parts of the book introduce you to Inca society. They also explain how a quipu is physically put together. This includes the colors, sizes, and directions of its strings. The book talks about common themes in Inca society. It also discusses the role of quipus and the people who made them.
Later chapters dive into the mathematical structure of quipus. They explain how information was stored in them. The book even includes exercises. These ask students to create their own quipus using modern information.
