How to Read and Write in Khipu: A Beginner’s Guide to the Inca Cord Writing System

This book is designed to take readers from knowing nothing about khipus to understanding all of the most recent research in the field, to make this enigmatic writing form seem easier. It is set up so that readers are shown diagrams of key khipus in landmark research articles, and given a chance to find the pattern on their own, so that the reader has a feeling that they are discovering key concepts. And after explaining what the researchers learned from those khipus, other examples are presented so the reader can apply what they learn on khipus that have not been written about in research articles. This field of study is still developing, and this book talks about the limitations in things like writing in khipus where, aside from a few syllables, it is not known how to write phonetically in khipus. And then it shows a creative and novel alphabet the author developed in order to "write" in khipus.

After reading this book, you won't be able to walk into a museum, look at a khipu on display, and read what it says out loud. It's just not possible with what we currently know. However, you will be able to look at that museum display and say something like "This khipu is a great example of seriation. I'll bet it was used to collect census data." This book will also give you a solid foundation for understanding academic articles and lectures, so that you can dive deeper into your own research interests.