Pre-Columbian, Northern Peru, Chancay or Chimu, ca. 1000 to 1470 CE. Three dark brown cords with tan cords knotted or twisted around them in one area. These were likely a portion of an Andean quipu, sometimes known as khipus or talking knots. These were intricately knotted strings made from cotton or camelid fiber, used as recording devices to collect data and keep numerical records. The type of knots indicated a number, and the knot's placement signified units of 1, 10, 100, or more. All the cords hung from a main string, and their positions and colors likely signaled what was being counted—gold, corn, or other goods. In addition, this group includes a shell bead rattle comprised of eighteen white shells with tan markings joined together by tan and red cords, likely created for ritualistic or ceremonial use. Size: quipu section 55" (140 cm) from end to end; shell rattle 3-3/4" (9.5 cm).

Provenance: Ex-private Crested Butte, CO collection, acquired in 1987.

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#108678

Two shells detached from rattle. Cords are a fragment of a quipu.