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Do the hole counts encode numbers in the way khipus do?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What was the Band of Holes for?·3 answers·0·0 following
Three answers, none aheadNone is ahead yet. See what would settle it.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible.

Why it matters

The accounting reading rests on numerical regularity and a resemblance to khipu structure⁠[1]⁠[2]; the lead author asks whether the band was a "landscape khipu"⁠[3].

Answers 3

None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible

History

  1. Bongers et al. puts forward: section and row counts record quantities or groups in a decimal or khipu-like system.
  2. Bongers et al. puts forward: regular counts arise from building practice, such as fixed band width and hole size, without encoding numbers.
  3. Bongers et al.: repeated counts of seven and eight per row in several sections.For: Section and row counts record quantities or groups in a decimal or khipu-like system.
  4. Bongers et al.: band width varies from 14 to 22 m and section boundaries are partly subjective, which could drive count…For: Regular counts arise from building practice, such as fixed band width and hole size, without encoding numbers.
  5. Asked on this site
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