The Peruvian village of San Cristóbal de Rapaz is home to a collection of <i>khipu</i> (knotted cord objects used to record information) that are still housed in their original architectural complex. They are cared for by local authorities who use them in civil and religious ceremonies. Concerned about the poor condition of the <i>khipu</i> and their architectural complex, the community of Rapaz allowed them to be scientifically investigated in exchange for their conservation. The project was carried out in close collaboration with the community, who contributed to the understanding of the material and its use, and participated fully in all decision-making processes. The main challenge was to devise a way to conserve these objects and buildings without disturbing their function in the community as tangible elements of self-knowledge and cultural continuity.