Experts 'decipher' Inca strings

[Laisrean]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4143968.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4143968.stm)


Researchers in the US believe they have come closer to solving a centuries-old mystery - by deciphering knotted string used by the ancient Incas.

Experts say one bunch of knots appears to identify a city, marking the first intelligible word from the extinct South American civilisation.

The coloured, knotted pieces of string, known as khipu, are believed to have been used for accounting information.

The researchers say the finding could unlock the meaning of other khipu.

[LadyTrinity]

How do we humans figure that sort of thing out. WOW. :foh:

[Valnorran]

Did it say anything about the Castle Aaaaarrrrrrgh?

[CzechWoods]

:woot: :yourock: rick _travolta_ :thewave:

[eala]

Quipu rock! I had to make one for my Ancient Culture Tech course last semester. Want to make your own? They are really fun! You just need lots of string. (Quipu is the Spanish translitteration, I think. Khipu means 'knot' in the Cusco dialect of Quechua.)

A quipu uses knots to encode information. You can do it by groupings of knots, different types of knots, and colour of string.

First, decide on your code. Next, take a long piece of string to be the 'spine' of your quipu. Then, tie the shorter bits of string to it. You can now make knots to encode your information. You can even tie string to your strings. When they are done, they look like a grass skirt :D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quipu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quipu)
http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/research/quipu-ascher/as69.jpg
http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/research/quipu-ascher/as38.jpg

[Sage WindMoon]

Did it say anything about the Castle Aaaaarrrrrrgh?

If an ancient Inca was tying a message in knots, and suddenly died, he wouldn't bother tying the word "aaaaarrrrrrgh"!

Unless he was dictating...