Mackinley FitzPatrick

As a PhD candidate in archaeology at Harvard's Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 2025 Harvard Horizons Scholar Mackinley "Mack" FitzPatrick is immersing himself in the complex record-keeping system of the Inka Empire through his project, "Empire of String: Unravelling the Enigma of Inka Khipus." FitzPatrick’s work seeks to unlock the secrets of khipus, intricate knotted cord devices that served as the administrative backbone of the Inka civilization.

Khipus, widely regarded as the Inka's alternative to a written script, were used to record a variety of data, including census counts, tax obligations, and possibly narrative content such as songs and histories. FitzPatrick's research focuses on a rare collection of 33 khipus from cliffside tombs at the high elevation lake, Laguna de los Cóndores, offering a unique glimpse into Inka administration in a region where few organic materials—such as the fibers used to make khipus—have been well-preserved in the archaeological record due to the humid climate.

Through meticulous structural analysis and documentation, FitzPatrick seeks to uncover the meanings encoded in khipus beyond their numerical knots. His approach involves the exploration of cord attributes—attachment styles, knot variations, and color patterns—which may carry non-numerical information about the social and administrative workings of the Inka Empire. FitzPatrick’s work at the Museo Leymebamba in Peru enables him to intimately engage with these ancient records, fostering an unparalleled connection to the artifacts.

Beyond the technical challenge of decoding khipus, FitzPatrick's research emphasizes the importance of recognizing khipus as a sophisticated form of record-keeping that existed outside the conventions of written language. He suggests that khipus should be studied for their unique functionalities and contributions to historical narratives, rather than framed solely within the binary of whether they constitute "writing."

Mack FitzPatrick’s project not only aims to advance archaeological knowledge but also seeks to reframe public understanding of the Inka Empire's complex administrative capabilities. By preserving and interpreting khipus, he hopes to reveal a more nuanced history of the Andean civilizations, illuminating the enduring legacy of their cultural innovations for contemporary audiences.