Mackinley FitzPatrick

— Bio —

Mackinley “Mack” FitzPatrick is an Archaeology Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology at Harvard University. He earned his B.A. in Computer Science with a minor in Archaeology from Harvard University in 2020 and subsequently received his M.A. in Anthropology from Harvard in 2022.

Mack’s research centers on the study of ancient media using big data and computational methods, with his primary focus being on the Andean khipu (or quipu). Mack employs a chaîne opératoire approach to understand and decipher these cords, examining the sequential steps and decisions involved in their creation. Beyond decipherment, Mack’s research aims to understand the khipu construction process and the individuals who crafted them. He believes these artifacts have stories beyond the ones encoded in their knots. His work also focuses on digitally preserving khipus for future generations and their descendants. By cataloging detailed structural data down to each individual yarn, Mack ensures that the cultural knowledge within khipus is preserved, even if the physical artifacts cannot be maintained indefinitely.

Mack’s dissertation work focuses on 33 Inka khipus discovered in cliffside tombs at Laguna de los Cóndores in the highland jungle of Peru. These khipus, found alongside textiles, ceramics, wooden objects, and over 200 mummy bundles, form an extraordinarily rare collection. They not only feature some of the largest and most intricate extant khipu specimens but also are notable for having a known archaeological context—a rarity, as many khipus were looted in the early 20th century. Furthermore, these khipus constitute one of the few known khipu archives, allowing for their study as a cohesive group.

For his dissertation, Mack is conducting a comprehensive analysis of the khipus from Laguna de los Cóndores, which are now housed at the Museo Leymebamba in Peru. His innovative methodology facilitates the study of even fragmented khipus by recording details about cord construction, materials, and structures often overlooked by previous studies. His dissertation aims to illuminate how data was encoded in khipus, how Inka imperial control manifested at the local level, and to explore gender roles in Andean craft production.

Outside of fieldwork and research, he actively shares his work with the public through initiatives like the Virtual Archaeologist in a Classroom program, offered by the Harvard University Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Mack is committed to collaborating with descendant communities and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.