IncaInca

People of the SunPeople of the Sun

Civilization in the CloudsCivilization in the Clouds

The Land of Four The Land of Four QuatersQuaters

Inca notesInca notes

► Inca lived in the Inca lived in the highlands of Peru.highlands of Peru.

► Empire reached Empire reached further than any in further than any in New world and was New world and was as large as the as large as the Roman empire.Roman empire.

► Pachakuti Inca began Pachakuti Inca began series of conquests series of conquests in 1440 AD leading in 1440 AD leading to unified empire.to unified empire.

► When Pizzaro arrived When Pizzaro arrived in 1532 the Inca had in 1532 the Inca had just ended a long just ended a long period of civil war.period of civil war.

► Inca cities were Inca cities were linked by extensive linked by extensive road networks.road networks.

► Surplus food was Surplus food was stored in special stored in special cities for times of cities for times of scarcity.scarcity.

Atahualpa Inca Pizzaro

Inca hwy system longer than Roman. Covered 25,000 miles. Mail traveled faster than it does today.

Construction in StoneConstruction in Stone

► Fortress, palaces, and administrative centers were Fortress, palaces, and administrative centers were built of stone.built of stone.

► The jigsaw-like nature of the stonework was held in The jigsaw-like nature of the stonework was held in place by its own weight without mortar.place by its own weight without mortar.

► Pseudoscientists argue the stonework could not be Pseudoscientists argue the stonework could not be achieved without lasers or some modern achieved without lasers or some modern technology unavailable to the Inca.technology unavailable to the Inca.

Machu Pichu

Playful rock carving to allow flow of sacred water. Such carvings are part of many Inca sites and especially at Machu Pichu.

Modern structure on top of Inca masonry.

Inca masonry. No mortar. The jigsaw affect locks all pieces.

Pisca Q’ uchu

Massive stone block architecture

Inca engineering included suspension bridges over deep crevasses and rivers. These bridges were designed as cable suspension spans and were made from grass.

Following the roads, part of which was cut directly into mountain sides, goods from the coast could reach Cuzco in the highlands in one day.

Spiritual beliefsSpiritual beliefs

►Ancestor venerationAncestor veneration►Viracocha the creator God (sun)Viracocha the creator God (sun)►Living worldLiving world►Milky way intersected the Andes to Milky way intersected the Andes to

create four quarters of the Inca worldcreate four quarters of the Inca world

Cultural elementsCultural elements

►Textile art used as currencyTextile art used as currency►M’ita systemM’ita system►Split inheritanceSplit inheritance►Taxation to the emperorTaxation to the emperor

Llama

Purposely deformed skulls (Nazca)

(Made famous by the last Indiana Jones movie)

Human face jugs. Common element in much Peruvian pottery (pre Inca)

Silver Metalwork representation of reed raft. (pre Inca)

Agricultural terraces.

Peruvian musicians “Inca Son”

Inca style textiles and market.

Pachacuti inca

Tupac Inca

Huayana Inac

Atahualpa Inca

After conquest:

Manko, Yupanqui

Inca textiles.

Quipu record keeping system. Relied on mathematics and mnemonics. A series of knots tied to various lengths of cord are used to record inventories, histories, tribute/taxes and key dates.

Yupanqui Inca

Mt fortress city Pisac

Reenactment of Inca festival to the Sun.

Inca mummy and child sacrifice mummy