Andrés Chirinos

Andrés is a historian with PhD from UNED, Spain, who specializes in early colonial Peru (1532–1570), caciques, and quipus. His work also spans indigenous languages, mythology, and Andean ethnography. Author of Quipus del Tahuantinsuyo, among others.

By Andrés Chirinos 02 Feb 2026 17 min read Waterfall khipu set

The “Waterfall” Khipu Set and Indigenous Political Organization in the 16th Century

How can we relate what historical documentation tells us to the information we can extract from the archaeological khipus preserved in museums and private collections?