Scientists are working to decode what is now thought to be a very unusual writing system used by the Inca people in South America.
Khipu are knotted strings which were used by the Incas. They were recorded by the Spanish when they arrived in South America in the 16th Century. Previously, it was thought that the Inca did not use written communiation, which is surprising as their civilisation was so advanced in other areas. The possibility of these strings being a means of communication was not considered, because it is so different to the methods we use today.
However recent observations have noted similarities with other language systems. This article writes about progress in deciphering khipu.
