Signs of the Inka Khipu: Binary Coding in the Andean Knotted-String Records (The Linda Schele Series in Maya and Pre-Columbian Studies)
$12.33
Description
Book Synopsis: In an age when computers process immense amounts of information by the manipulation of sequences of 1s and 0s, it remains a frustrating mystery how prehistoric Inka recordkeepers encoded a tremendous variety and quantity of data using only knotted and dyed strings. Yet the comparison between computers and khipu may hold an important clue to deciphering the Inka records.
In this book, Gary Urton sets forth a pathbreaking theory that the manipulation of fibers in the construction of khipu created physical features that constitute binary-coded sequences which store units of information in a system of binary recordkeeping that was used throughout the Inka empire.
Urton begins his theory with the making of khipu, showing how at each step of the process binary, either/or choices were made. He then investigates the symbolic components of the binary coding system, the amount of information that could have been encoded, procedures that may have been used for reading the khipu, the nature of the khipu signs, and, finally, the nature of the khipu recording system itself―emphasizing relations of markedness and semantic coupling.
This research constitutes a major step forward in building a unified theory of the khipu system of information storage and communication based on the sum total of construction features making up these extraordinary objects.
Details
Discover the fascinating world of the Inka Khipu and unravel the mysteries of their binary coding system with the groundbreaking book "Signs of the Inka Khipu: Binary Coding in the Andean Knotted-String Records". Written by Gary Urton, a renowned expert in Maya and Pre-Columbian Studies, this book offers a compelling theory about how the Inka recordkeepers used knotted and dyed strings to encode vast amounts of data.
As we rely on computers to process information through the manipulation of 1s and 0s, the similarities between these modern machines and the ancient khipu cannot be ignored. Could the secrets of the Inka empire lie within these knotted strings? Urton explores this possibility, highlighting the physical features created through the manipulation of fibers during the khipu-making process. These physical features act as binary-coded sequences, storing invaluable units of information.
Delve into the symbolic components of the binary coding system, the potential amount of information encoded, and the historical procedures used to read the khipu. Gain insights into the nature of the khipu signs and the underlying recording system, which emphasized the vital relations of markedness and semantic coupling. With each page, Urton takes you closer to a unified theory of the khipu system, unveiling the extraordinary complexity of these ancient objects.
Unlock the secrets of the Inka Khipu and delve into the captivating world of binary coding with "Signs of the Inka Khipu". Expand your understanding of Inka civilization and join the exploration of this enigmatic form of information storage and communication throughout the vast Inka empire.
Get your copy of "Signs of the Inka Khipu" today and embark on a journey of discovery.
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