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The quipus with which this paper is specifically concerned, however differ considerably from these Inca quipus. They are visually and technically different and are herein called wrapped quipus, because one of their evident technological distinctions from the Inca quipus consist of colored thread wrapping on the pendent cords. They appear to be about 700 years older than the Inca quipus and their analysis provides a glimpse into the evolution of one aspect of pre-Columbian mathematical thought.

The dating of these wrapped quipus is dependent upon the reported association within a burial lot of fragments of wrapped quipus with Huari pottery and a Huari mummy. The discovery was made by Yoshitaro Amano in 1968 at a site called Pampa Blanca, which is near the Hacienda Huayuri in Pampa de Nasca. Amano’s find was photographed by Junius Bird, and details were recorded in a letter from Dr. Amano to Dr. Bird in 1978. The burial lot record consists of three pots, the mummy, and the fragments of knotted strings. The pottery can be clearly dated to Middle Horizon 2 in the Berkeley series, suggesting a date of A.D. 700. Although badly deteriorated, three important characteristics of the Pampa Blanca knotted strings can be determined. The shanks of the pendent cords are wrapped with patterned multi-colored thread, there are no long knots present – only multiple overhand knots, and the plying of the cords is in the Z direction.

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“Colored wrapping of warps is a patterning technique that was invented during the Early Horizon period and is distinctly associated with Chavin art and religion and dates from something like 1000 BC. “

Page 278