USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -A quipu usually consisted of cotton or camelid fiber strings. The Inca people used them for collecting data and keeping records, monitoring tax obligations, collecting census records, calendrical information, and for military organization.

Detailed explanation-2: -Historic documents indicate that quipus were used for record keeping and sending messages by runner throughout the empire. The color, knot placement and type of cord are all part of the logical numerical reading of the quipu.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Incas had developed a method of recording numerical information which did not require writing. It involved knots in strings called quipu. The quipu was not a calculator, rather it was a storage device.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Incas, like us, had a decimal (base-ten) system, so each kind of knot had a specific decimal value. The Single knot, pictured in the middle of the diagram[iii] was used to denote tens, hundreds, thousands, and ten thousands. They would be on the upper levels of the H cords.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Incas used the quipu as a way to communicate and keep accounting records. Quipu were made by Quipucamayocs, and they consisted of a primary cord, pendant cords, and subsidiary cords.