The IncaThe Inca Civilization Civilization

Great Civilizations in History

Was the Incan Empire a Great Civilization?

Incas farmed using terraces

Agriculture

• Grew corn, potatoes, quinoa

• Had storage buildings for surplus food

• Freeze dried their own food for storage

Domesticated Animals

• Used Llamas as pack animals, for wool, and for meat

• Used Alpacas for wool

• The ruler wore clothing made from the wool of Vicunas

• Alpaca Vicuna

Specialized Jobs

• The empire had– Craftspeople– Messengers– Herders– Priests– Royalty– Chosen Women

(religious)– Sorcerers

Weaving

Cities

• Cuzco • Quito• Large cities made

out of stone• Had indoor plumbing

Indoor Plumbing!

Government

• Controlled by the Sapa Inca

• People paid taxes to the Inca empire

• They could pay through food, items, or offer labor

Religion

• Sapa Inca was worshipped like a god. – Considered the Son of

the Sun

• Polytheistic - believed in many gods– Worshipped the natural

world

• Had large festival once a month

Education

• Only noble boys went to school

• No girls were educated

• Common people taught their children the family skills

Believed in life after death

Made sacrifices to the earth

Trade and Money

• Elaborate system of roads and bridges

• Trade common throughout the empire

• Bartering system• People paid taxes every

year to the Sapa Inca and he provided them with food and protection

Writing and Record Keeping

• No formal writing system

• Kept records using a knot and string system called quipus

Quipu