THE PRON, OR MAPUCHE QUIPU, ACCORDING TO COLONIAL RECORDS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA: ORIGIN, USES AND FUNCTIONS
THE PRON, OR MAPUCHE QUIPU, ACCORDING TO COLONIAL RECORDS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA: ORIGIN, USES AND FUNCTIONS
Authors
Manuel Zavala, Jose
Bachraty, Dagmar
Payas, Gertrudis
Bachraty, Dagmar
Payas, Gertrudis
Authors
Date
Datos de publicaciĆ³n:
BOLETIN DEL MUSEO CHILENO DE ARTE PRECOLOMBINO,Vol.26,41-55,2021
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Abstract
This article reviews the evidence in colonial documents on the presence of quipus in central Chile and in Araucania, also including archaeological data from petroglyphs in Andean areas of central Chile and northern Neuquen in Argentina. The ethnohistorical and archaeological information suggests the presence of the Mapuche quipu in pre-Hispanic times. The colonial references enable the identification of some uses and functions, as well as the description of its components and variants, and of its war association. Regarding the Mapuche territory under Inca rule, some records allow to associate this artefact with petroglyph representations linked to mining sites or routes.