The Project: Research and Conservation

In 1981, the Peruvian archaeologist Arturo Ruíz Estrada published a report on Rapaz’s khipu. It has become famous in the small world of khipu specialists, but there has never before been a detailed study of the objects. (Click on picture for a larger image).


Photo published by Ruíz Estrada in 1981. Third from left is D. Teodosio Falcón, a villager who worked to protect the patrimony when it was in danger.


The new project began in January 2004 with an agreement between the village and the anthropologist Frank Salomon , a professor at the University of Wisconsin&emdash;Madison in the USA. The village agreed to give access for scientific study in exchange for conservation help to make the khipus and their environment safer against deterioration. The project included archaeological inquiry to determine the age of the complex. Field research began in June 2005 and continues to this day.
(Click on picture for a larger image).

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The khipu collection was reinforced in situ, then carried on a padded transport bed to this site laboratory. There it was carefully repaired and cleaned by eliminating insects and contaminants. The scientific description done in this place using software developed by Carrie Brezine
Restorer Rosalía Choque spins Rapaz-grown alpaca wool to make repair yarn for the damaged khipu cords. She carefully matched the original colors and materials.
While the khipu collection was outside of Kaha Wayi, a specialist evaluated the stuctural condition of the buildings in the precinct. The community pitched in to make the repairs needed to stabilize them. A protective showcase was built to receive the khipus when they returned to their home in late 2005.
The restorers train village weavers in older Andean textile techniques so they can form a permanent committee in support of self-sustaining preservation work. In this way the khipus will remain safe from future damage.
Some important archaeological sites are close to Rapaz and will be objects of contextual study. These archaeological features are part of the village of Pinchulín, and may belong to the Late Intermediate Period.
The khipu collection was carried to the study table on July 11, 2005, using a padded transport bed. The white threads serve as temporary reinforcement for vulnerable threads.