Quipu facts for kids
Quipu are amazing ancient tools from the Inca people. They are made from colorful threads with knots tied in special ways. The Inca used quipu to record important information. It was like their way of writing things down!
Contents
What are Quipu?
Quipu (pronounced KEE-poo) are unique objects. They are made of cotton or llama and alpaca wool. A quipu has one main horizontal cord. Many smaller cords hang down from it. These hanging cords can also have other cords attached to them.
The Knots of the Quipu
The most important part of a quipu is its knots. The Inca tied knots in different places and in different ways. These knots represented numbers. For example, a single knot might mean "one." A knot with two loops might mean "two." The position of the knots on the cord also mattered. This system allowed them to record numbers up to thousands.
Colors and Cords
The colors of the cords were also important. Different colors might represent different things. For example, a red cord could mean "warriors." A yellow cord might mean "gold." The way the cords were twisted or braided could also add meaning. This made quipu very complex.
How Quipu Were Used
The Inca Empire was very large. It needed a way to keep track of many things. Quipu helped them do this.
Recording Information
Quipu were used to record all sorts of data. This included:
- How many people lived in a village
- How much food was stored
- The amount of taxes collected
- Important dates and events
- Information about soldiers or supplies
The Quipucamayocs
Special people called quipucamayocs (pronounced KEE-poo-kah-MY-oks) were in charge of quipu. They were like accountants or record keepers. They learned how to tie the knots and read the quipu. They were very important people in Inca society. They helped the Inca rulers manage their vast empire.
The Mystery of Quipu
Today, many quipu still exist. But most of their secrets are still hidden.
Undeciphered Language
Most experts believe that quipu mainly recorded numbers. However, some researchers think quipu might have also recorded stories or laws. If this is true, quipu could be a form of writing. But no one has fully figured out how to "read" these non-numerical parts yet. It's one of the great mysteries of ancient history!
Why Quipu are Important
The Inca did not have a written language like we do. Quipu show how clever they were. They created a complex system to manage their empire. Studying quipu helps us understand more about this amazing ancient civilization. It shows how much knowledge they had, even without paper and pens.
Images for kids
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Quipu in the Museo Machu Picchu, Casa Concha, Cusco
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A quipucamayoc in El primer nueva corónica. On the lower left is a yupana – an Inca calculating device.
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Representation of a quipu (1888)
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See also
In Spanish: Quipu para niños
