New research from the University of St Andrews has shed light on the intricate ways in which the Incas utilized Andean balance scales and an ancient writing system known as khipus. The study, published in the journal Res: Anthropology and Aesthetics, reveals a deeper connection between these tools and the Andean culture’s pursuit of balance and harmony in social and economic interactions.
The research highlights that these balance scales, specifically the wooden unequal-arm balances referred to as wipis, were instrumental in the exchange of valuable goods, particularly between highland herder communities producing wool and lowland farmers cultivating coca leaves. The findings suggest that certain red tassels found on both khipus and balance scales may have served a “supernatural” purpose, enhancing the trustworthiness of the information recorded or displayed. In Andean culture, the color red symbolizes wholeness and power, believed to preserve the integrity and vital energy of an object.
Understanding the Cultural Significance of Balance
This research uncovers the significant role that measuring tools like balance scales and khipus played in promoting social responsibility and community well-being. The study finds that wipi scales were predominantly used for weighing coca leaves and wool, indicating that they facilitated access to these highly sought-after goods, both within and beyond community territories.
The authors emphasize that achieving balance was less about precision and more about mutual agreement among traders. The tilt of the scale often indicated whether the quantity of goods met the expectations of both parties involved in the transaction. This perspective reveals a more nuanced understanding of how Andean societies viewed economic exchanges and communal relationships.
Co-author Sarah Bennison, an interdisciplinary Andean studies researcher at the University of St Andrews, elaborated on the findings, stating, “We could cast our gaze more broadly and explore the wider context of customs geared at achieving balance, of which khipus played a part. And in turn, the study of Inca balance scales holds promise for deepening our understandings of khipus.”
Reviving Ancient Practices Through Modern Research
This study marks the most comprehensive investigation into wipis to date. While these balance scales have been included in some museum collections, their use seemed to have diminished in ethnographic literature by the 1980s. Uncertainty surrounded whether the practice had completely faded. However, Bennison’s research uncovered evidence of wipis still in use as recently as 2022.
By bridging archaeological, historical, and ethnographic research, this work offers fresh insights into the diverse applications of Andean scales. It explores how the use of wipis is intertwined with broader cultural perceptions of what it means for individuals and communities to achieve a state of balance.
For further details, refer to the full study by Jordan A. Dalton and colleagues, titled “In balance: Understanding the use of scales in Andean life,” in Res: Anthropology and Aesthetics (2025).
