Unlocking the Secrets of the Incan Empire: How a Stray Lock of Hair Reshapes Our Understanding of Ancient Life

The Inca Empire, one of the most remarkable societies of ancient South America, was known for its incredible achievements, including the grand architecture of Machu Picchu and an extensive road network. One of its most fascinating inventions was the khipu, a unique method of record-keeping involving knots tied into cords.

Traditionally, it was believed that khipu-making was reserved for the elite. However, a recent study has revealed something surprising: even everyday people may have participated in this practice. Researchers discovered a khipu made from human hair, suggesting a broader involvement in this record-keeping tradition.

Sabine Hyland, a researcher at the University of St. Andrews, shared, “The Incas had the largest empire in the New World. This empire relied on knotted cords to record information.” Kit Lee, another scholar, noted that while many believe empires must have written language, the khipu was an overlooked form of writing. Its unique structure consists of colored cords with knots hanging from a main strand.

The Spanish conquest in 1532 dramatically impacted Inca history, and only a small number of ancient khipus remain today. Fortunately, Hyland’s team recently acquired a khipu dated to around 1498. Initially thought to be made of animal hair, it turned out to be made from human hair. This discovery not only highlighted the individual behind the khipu but also opened a new avenue for understanding dietary habits through hair analysis.

By studying the hair, researchers learned about the person’s diet, revealing they consumed more legumes and grains than the meat typically associated with the elite. This finding raises questions about the social structure of the Incan Empire and challenges the conventional narrative. It suggests that literacy and record-keeping might have been more widespread than Spanish records indicate.

The possibility of modern khipus being linked to ancient ones lends further depth to this conversation. Today, khipus are still created by lower-status individuals, serving various purposes like recording agricultural data or being placed with the deceased in burial practices. Lee commented, “It’s controversial to link ancient and modern khipus, but this connection is crucial for understanding their shared history.”

Experts like Manny Medrano from Harvard emphasize the significance of the recent studies, describing them as “unprecedented.” He noted that studying khipus with human hair could help us understand more about Incan society beyond what’s recorded by colonizers. “We need a more nuanced story of literacy and record-keeping in the Inca Empire,” he stated, advocating for a broader narrative that includes diverse voices from history.

This newfound interest in khipus not only aims to reshape our understanding of social hierarchies in ancient times but also highlights the need to reconsider the artifacts housed in museums worldwide. It’s an exciting journey toward unraveling the past with fresh insights, offering a richer perspective on this incredible civilization.

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