npr.org
Inca Khipu Made of Human Hair Reveals Wider Literacy Among Commoners
Analysis of a 1498 Inca khipu made entirely of human hair reveals its creator had a commoner's diet (legumes, grains, tubers), challenging the assumption that khipu production was limited to elites and suggesting wider literacy in the empire.
- What does the analysis of a human hair khipu reveal about Inca record-keeping practices and social structures?
- A human hair khipu, a type of knotted cord used for record-keeping in the Inca Empire, has been analyzed, revealing it was likely made by a commoner. This challenges the long-held belief that khipu production was limited to elites. The analysis of the hair's isotopic composition indicates a diet of legumes, grains, and tubers—typical of commoners, not the elite's diet of meat and maize beer.
- How does the discovery of this human hair khipu challenge existing assumptions about the role of elites in Inca record-keeping?
- The discovery of a khipu made from human hair and its analysis provide evidence that record-keeping using khipus was not exclusively practiced by the Inca elite, but potentially was a more widespread practice across the empire's social strata. This challenges prior assumptions about the distribution of literacy and record-keeping skills. The findings also show that khipus may have served a broader range of societal functions, going beyond elite record-keeping.
- What are the potential implications of this discovery for future research on Inca khipus and our understanding of the Inca Empire's social organization?
- This research underscores the need for a reevaluation of the existing understanding of Inca civilization's record-keeping practices and social structures. This research could significantly impact our interpretation of Inca society and its organization, leading to future studies investigating other khipus that may offer new insights into social mobility and technological diffusion across different social strata.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative frames the discovery as a significant challenge to the established understanding of khipu production. The headline (if there was one) and introductory paragraphs likely emphasized the surprising finding of human hair and its implications for re-evaluating the role of commoners. This framing guides the reader towards accepting this new perspective as a major shift in the field. While not overtly biased, the emphasis on this new finding could overshadow other significant aspects of khipu research.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. However, phrases such as "unusual opportunity" and "pretty controversial" subtly inject opinions into the reporting. The consistent emphasis on the 'surprise' of the discovery could be interpreted as emotionally charged language. More neutral terms such as 'novel finding' and 'debated topic' would reduce this bias.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the new discovery and its implications, and doesn't delve into potential counterarguments or alternative interpretations of existing evidence regarding khipu production. While acknowledging limitations in surviving khipus, it doesn't explicitly discuss what information might be missing due to the loss of most khipus. The potential bias lies in the emphasis on the new finding, potentially overshadowing other perspectives or nuances in the field.
Sustainable Development Goals
The research challenges the existing assumption that khipu production was limited to the Inca elite. The finding that a khipu was made from the hair of a commoner who consumed a diet typical of the lower class suggests a more inclusive participation in record-keeping practices within the Inca society, thus reducing the inequality in access to and participation in cultural practices.