How to Use the Harvard Khipu Database files

When I first started studying khipu, I used the khipu data tables that are set up on Excel files. When I started doing a more in-depth study and wanted to search for khipu meeting certain criteria, I found that I needed to use the SQL database provided on the Harvard Khipukamayuq website. Without a background in computer science, and no previous experience with SQL, I quickly gave up. But opening each Excel file took hours. So I learned SQL through the free Coursera course (when you select the course, it will give a few payment options for certificates, but I just click the "Audit this course" option at the bottom, which provides free access to all videos, but no certificate to show employers). The database files are in a format to open with MySQL, which seems to require setup of a server. So I converted them to SQLite format, which can be easily run on any computer, and installed DB Browser for SQLite to input and search the values. I have included setup instructions below for anyone who wishes to do the same. My hope is to spare any would-be khipu fanatics from the months of pain I went through.

Another problem I came up against was making sense of how the database was organized. The Excel files each have three tabs: Heading, Pendant Detail, and Notes. Whereas the database has almost 50 tables. It was overwhelming. To help me write the queries, I prepared a file that acts as a key between the Excel files and the Khipu Database files, explaining where to find everything. You can access the Google Sheets file here. I have provided brief explanations of the tables below, the kind of explanation I wish was included in a Readme file with the KhipuDB_SQL zip file. The database can be downloaded from the Harvard Khipukamayuq website, direct link here.

photo taken by Dr. Gary Urton, found on khipukamayuq.fas.harvard.edu Khipu Gallery
https://khipukamayuq.fas.harvard.edu/images/Miscellaneous/Canuto.jpg
"canuto" refers to the woven or wrapped portion above the khipu pendant cords