5. The Incas, who created incredible architecture and political systems, had no known written system of language, although some scientists suggest khipu may also have served that function.
'According to the anonymous seventeenth-century author of the Quito Manuscript, ancient Andeans once possessed a writing system (qillqa) that they replaced with knotted strings (khipu) as part of the religious and sexual reform of their nation. The manuscript's redactor, Fernando de Montesinos, added to the text his own speculations about Andean writing, which he linked to the Tree of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden. For both of these authors, ideas about indigenous "writing" were not neutral, but were intertwined with arguments about the moral and cultural merits of Andean civilization. This essay explores how each author's claims about writing and knotted strings—qillqa and khipu—were intrinsic to their political and theological aims, fitting into a larger discourse about the justification of colonial rule. ' - Sabine Hyland St Norbet College
Many of the Pre-Colombian cultures communicated in art and architechure. At Chan Chan the Chimu Culture had a detailed calendar of ocean currents. The calendar indicated which months the currents came from the south and which months from the north for fishing. The Incas used both a solar and lunar calendar. In Cusco, authorities maintained a seasonal clock that consisted of a 365 day solar calendar with 12 months each consisting of 30 days. A twelve month lunar calendar was also kept that consisted of 41 eight day weeks for a total of a 328 day year. The Incas celebrated the summer and winter solstice each year - the winter solstice celebration can still be witnessed at the festival of Inti Raymi celebrated June 24th each year.
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