QuestionsInka khipus: the knotted-cord recordsDo any khipus record language, or only numbers and categories?Answer
Answer · Inka khipus: the knotted-cord records
Some khipus, especially narrative ones, recorded words phonetically, for example by using cord types for…
Some khipus, especially narrative ones, recorded words phonetically, for example by using cord types for syllables of names.
Where it stands
Still possibleIts tests haven't settled it: one piece of evidence for, none against. It needs two reviews to be accepted.
What it predicts
- Narrative khipus have larger inventories of cord types than accounting khipus.
- Cord-type sequences in narrative khipus correspond to the syllables of names given in local testimony.
What would rule it out
- The cord-type inventory of narrative khipus is no larger than that of accounting khipus and shows no correspondence to local names.
Evidence 1 for · none against
The questions it answers
Most likelyKhipus record numbers and the categories they belong to; colour, fibre and attachment label what is counted…
Cite it
Mysteries Department. (2026). Some khipus, especially narrative ones, recorded words phonetically, for example by using cord types for… [Answer ANS0D4V829W47WT]. https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0D4V829W47WT
@misc{mysteriesdept_ans0d4v829w47wt,
title = {Some khipus, especially narrative ones, recorded words phonetically, for example by using cord types for…},
author = {{Mysteries Department}},
year = {2026},
note = {Answer, catalog key ANS0D4V829W47WT},
url = {https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0D4V829W47WT}
}