Mackinley FitzPatrick

— Bio —

Mackinley “Mack” FitzPatrick is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Archaeology Program at Harvard University’s Department of Anthropology. He received his B.A. in Computer Science with a minor in Archaeology from Harvard University in 2020 and his M.A. in Anthropology from Harvard University in 2022. His main focus lies in the study of ancient media, especially early writing and record-keeping systems such as the Andean khipu (or quipu) – knotted cord recording devices famous for their use by the Inka Empire. As an expert on khipus, Mack’s research focuses on understanding and deciphering these knotted cords through a “chaîne opératoire” approach, which examines the sequential steps and choices involved in the production of an object.

Mack has conducted archaeological fieldwork in the United States, Brazil, and Peru. Through his dissertation fieldwork, Mack is conducting a comprehensive analysis of the khipus housed at the Museo Leymebamba in Peru. These khipus were discovered at the archaeological site of Laguna de los Cóndores, representing some of the best preserved Inka-style khipus ever found, and they present a unique opportunity to study localized khipu production on the edge of the Inka Empire.

By recording details of cord construction, material, and structure that have been overlooked by previous studies, Mack aims to illuminate how data was encoded within khipus and to what degree this media was standardized across the vast Inka territory. His innovative methodology allows for the study of even the most fragmented khipus, which have often been neglected, and in the process preserves cultural knowledge that may otherwise be lost.

In addition to advancing khipu scholarship, Mack’s research explores gender roles in Andean craft production and how imperial control manifested at the local level. When not in the field or library, Mack enjoys sharing his work with the public both in-person and online, through programs like Virtual Archaeologist in a Classroom, offered by the Harvard University Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Mack is dedicated to collaborating closely with descendant communities and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.