Quipu

Recently the boys entered models in the Cantamath competition held at the Christchurch town hall. They had to be maths based and they had 3 weeks to complete them. Entries were open to all primary/intermediate school children throughout Canterbury. There were lots of categories, not just models.

Thomas decided he was going to do a model of Quipu. Of course I had no idea what Quipu actually was so he explained to me that it was the way the ancient Inca did their accounting. They would tie knots in string that hung from a central cord. They used it to keep track of livestock or other precious belongings. Should they have 158 cattle they would tie one knot at the top, then a gap, then 5 knots, then a gap and then 8 knots. As he put it - they devised an accounting system without the need to write!

He never fails to surprise me with the things he knows from way back in history!

His display won Highly Commended in his category.

Don't forget you can click on the photo and it will bring it up larger and then you can read his written explanation on the board as well.