Although the ancient Inca are renowned for their highly organized society and extraordinary skill in working with gold, stone and pottery, few are familiar with the khipu -- an elaborate system of colored, knotted strings that many researchers believe to be primarily mnemonic in nature, like a rosary -- that was used by the ancient conquerors to record information. Because the Inca didn't employ a recognizable system of writing, researchers like UB's Galen Brokaw have focused on the khipu as a way to further illuminate Inca history and culture.