The Inca scribes (known as armantus) used the quipu (knotted ropes) to record and store information about the immense holdings of the vast Inca empire.
The “Geography” disappeared for a thousand years, only for an unoriginal copy to appear in the 13th century, replete with coloured maps drawn by Byzantine scribes.
You will have to imagine that the cover is unusually thick, with huge golden clasps, and that some scribe has covered it in elaborately fancy gilt lettering.