Quipu

Inca Record-Keeping: The Power of a Lock of Hair

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Inca Record-Keeping: How a Lock of Hair Unlocked Empire Secrets

Imagine an empire stretching across vast, treacherous mountains, a civilization with no written alphabet, yet managing to govern millions. This was the Inca Empire, a marvel of organization and administration in the Andes of South America. For centuries, historians grappled with how such a complex society kept track of its people, resources, and history without … Read more

Inca Record-Keeping: A Single Lock of Hair Unlocks Empire Secrets

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Inca Record-Keeping: How Hair Unlocks Empire Secrets

The Inca Empire, a vast dominion stretching along the western spine of South America, was a marvel of organization and administration. Without a written alphabet as we know it, this empire managed to govern millions, collect tribute, track resources, and record history through a sophisticated system of knotted cords known as quipu. For centuries, the … Read more