The Inka, officially sorted
Preparing for a class lecture on cultures of science and technology, I remembered one of the Spanish colonial chronicles I read for my Masters’ work: Felipe Guaman Poma’s Nueva corónica y buen gobierno (in Spanish). Brilliant stuff, and not least because of how it raises questions about how we write histories and cultures. But in browsing the drawings, I came across the age ranks used for Imperial administration and was completely fascinated by how people were sorted.
10. The chapter of the general inspection, or census
The first age group of men, warriors of thirty-three years
The second age group, old men of sixty years
The third age group, old men of eighty years
The fourth age group, sick men of all ages
The fifth age group, messengers of eighteen years
The sixth age group, youths of twelve years
The seventh age group, boys of nine years
The eighth age group, boys of five years
The ninth age group, children of one year
The tenth age group, one-month-old infants
The first age group of women, weavers of thirty-three years
The second age group, old women of fifty years
The third age group, old women of eighty years
The fourth age group, sick women of all ages
The fifth age group, virgins of thirty-three years
The sixth age group, girls of twelve years
The seventh age group, girls of nine years
The eighth age group, girls of five years
The ninth age group, girls of one year
The tenth age group, one-month-old infants