# Is the khipu number system positional with a zero, or non-positional? · Inka khipus: the knotted-cord records > Three answers have been proposed. Khipu numbers are base-ten positional, with an empty position standing for zero. leads, with evidence 1 for: supported… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/khipu/questions/QST0D4V803J64R8/is-the-khipu-number-system-positional-with-a-zero-or-non Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:48+00:00 --- **0** # Is the khipu number system positional with a zero, or non-positional? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: khipu numbers are base-ten positional, with an empty position standing for zero** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. Khipu numbers are base-ten positional, with an empty position standing for zero. leads, with evidence 1 for: supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters Locke's decoding treats empty positions as zero in a base-ten place system⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D4V7PTP1WR9/the-ancient-quipu-a-peruvian-knot-record). A 2025 preprint argues the system is non-positional and has no zero⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D4V7SGM3D0Q/inka-numbers-khipu-and-yupana-a-reanalysis). ## Answers 3 [**Khipu numbers are base-ten positional, with an empty position standing for zero.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/khipu/answers/ANS0D4V84R041HH/khipu-numbers-are-base-ten-positional-with-an-empty-position) Supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/khipu/answers/ANS0D4V85Q82A2X/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The system is better described as non-positional and without a concept of zero, closer to other ancient…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/khipu/answers/ANS0D4V857M58VY/the-system-is-better-described-as-non-positional-and-without) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible ## History 1. 1912[Locke puts forward: khipu numbers are base-ten positional, with an empty position standing for zero.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D4V7PTP1WR9/the-ancient-quipu-a-peruvian-knot-record) 1. 2024[Medrano & Khosla: sum relations hold across most of the corpus under the positional reading.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D4V7R9J4S9R/how-can-data-science-contribute-to-understanding-the-khipu)For: Khipu numbers are base-ten positional, with an empty position standing for zero. 1. 2025[Florio & Overmann puts forward: the system is better described as non-positional and without a concept of zero, closer to other ancient…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D4V7SGM3D0Q/inka-numbers-khipu-and-yupana-a-reanalysis) 1. 2025[Florio & Overmann: a reanalysis of Guamán Poma's 1615 yupana drawing reads it as a non-positional multiplication method.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D4V7SGM3D0Q/inka-numbers-khipu-and-yupana-a-reanalysis)For: The system is better described as non-positional and without a concept of zero, closer to other ancient… 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/khipu/questions/QST0D4V803J64R8/is-the-khipu-number-system-positional-with-a-zero-or-non%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/khipu/questions/QST0D4V803J64R8/is-the-khipu-number-system-positional-with-a-zero-or-non%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/khipu/questions/QST0D4V803J64R8/is-the-khipu-number-system-positional-with-a-zero-or-non%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/khipu/questions/QST0D4V803J64R8/is-the-khipu-number-system-positional-with-a-zero-or-non%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/khipu/questions/QST0D4V803J64R8/is-the-khipu-number-system-positional-with-a-zero-or-non%23add-source) Where it fits Inka khipus: the knotted-cord records **Is the khipu number system positional with a zero, or non-positional?** Key question · you're here [ Ask a question under this one ]