Inca quipu counting device, artwork
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Inca quipu counting device, artwork
Inca quipu counting device. Artwork of part of an Inca quipu (also spelt khipu). This counting device was used by the Inca people of South America in the 15th and 16th centuries. It consists of a series of coloured strings attached to a base rope. These strings were knotted to encode numerical information, arranged in columns of numbers. The colour of the strings signify the objects being counted. The quipu could be used to perform simple mathematical and arithmetic calculations, and has been described as a primitive computer
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Media ID 6311731
© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1400s 1500s 15th Century 16th Century Anthropological Anthropology Arithmetic Calculator Database Decimal System Inca Incan Knots Mathematics Rope South America South American Quipu
EDITORS COMMENTS
This artwork showcases an ancient Inca quipu counting device, a remarkable testament to the mathematical prowess of the Inca civilization. Created during the 15th and 16th centuries in South America, this intricate piece consists of a base rope adorned with a series of vibrant colored strings. Each string is meticulously knotted to encode numerical information, forming columns of numbers that represent various objects being counted. The ingenious design of the quipu allowed it to serve as more than just a simple counting tool; it was essentially a primitive computer. With its ability to perform basic mathematical and arithmetic calculations, this fascinating artifact provided invaluable assistance in record-keeping and accounting for the Inca people. The significance of each color used on the strings cannot be understated. These colors symbolize specific objects or categories being tallied, enabling efficient organization and retrieval of data from this three-dimensional accounting system. As we admire this cut-out illustration capturing every detail, we are transported back in time to witness one of history's most intriguing mathematical inventions. The Inca quipu remains an anthropological marvel—a testament to human ingenuity and our perpetual quest for knowledge throughout different civilizations across the globe.
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