Quipukuna and Tocapukuna: The Mysterious Inca Books

Overview

This research work is based on the search and description of information storage systems used by Incas of Peru, by means of quipus, an improved mnemonic procedure made up by cords of various colors with knots whose arrangement allowed an ideographic reading; and tocapus, an Andean pre-Hispanic graphical communication system used during the Inca period made up by a set of squares with geometric decoration, generally polychrome, similar to fabrics or embroidery in textiles, painted in vessels and kero (wooden ceremonial vases). All this research is mainly documentary or bibliographic, which is based on works like the one made by the Ministry of Culture of Peru. The goal is to demonstrate and disseminate that the Incas and the previous cultures in Peru had a writing system (both numerical and literary system), facilitating us the understanding of ancient Peruvians lifestyle, and strengthening the cultural identity of the heirs belonging to this great civilization developed in the territory of Peru, and is subsequently applicable through the teachings of history to Peruvian students. Therefore, it becomes valuable to inform to the community of mathematical educators which methods and means created by ancient cultures. The Quipu represents one of these particular Inca methods, which shows complexity in the mathematical thinking as a means to protect accounting information. Besides quipus, which were used at least from the Caral period, there were other types of writings both in Tawantinsuyo and Tocapus.

Competition history

• ISEF 2017 Behavioral and Social Sciences · Entry BEHA001T

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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