This article reviews the evidence in colonial documents on the pre-sence of quipus in central Chile and in Araucania, also including archaeological data from petroglyphs in Andean areas of central Chile and northern Neuquen in Argentina. The ethnohistori-cal and archaeological information suggests the presence of the Mapuche quipu in pre-Hispanic times. The colonial references enable the identification of some uses and functions, as well as the description of its components and variants, and of its war association. Regarding the Mapuche territory under Inca rule, some records allow to associate this artefact with petroglyph representations linked to mining sites or routes.