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Questions and Answers
What was the approximate size of the Inca Empire?
What was the approximate size of the Inca Empire?
What was unique about the Inca system of government, architecture, and engineering?
What was unique about the Inca system of government, architecture, and engineering?
What was the purpose of the Inca's terracing systems?
What was the purpose of the Inca's terracing systems?
What was the name of the Inca's messenger system?
What was the name of the Inca's messenger system?
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What was the name of the god associated with the sun in Inca mythology?
What was the name of the god associated with the sun in Inca mythology?
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What was the significance of Machu Picchu in the Inca Empire?
What was the significance of Machu Picchu in the Inca Empire?
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When was Machu Picchu built?
When was Machu Picchu built?
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What was the length of the Inca's road network, known as the Qhapaq Ñan?
What was the length of the Inca's road network, known as the Qhapaq Ñan?
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What was Machu Picchu likely used as?
What was Machu Picchu likely used as?
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What led to the defeat of the Inca Empire?
What led to the defeat of the Inca Empire?
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Why was the location of Machu Picchu ideal for construction?
Why was the location of Machu Picchu ideal for construction?
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What was crucial for the construction of Machu Picchu?
What was crucial for the construction of Machu Picchu?
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What is significant about the andenes in the Andes?
What is significant about the andenes in the Andes?
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How were the Inca sovereigns treated after death?
How were the Inca sovereigns treated after death?
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What practice took place when an emperor died?
What practice took place when an emperor died?
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What percentage of Machu Picchu's constructions remain buried?
What percentage of Machu Picchu's constructions remain buried?
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Study Notes
The Inca Empire
- The Inca Empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, covering an area of approximately 800,000 km² from modern-day Colombia to Chile.
- The empire was established in the 15th century and lasted until the arrival of the Spanish in 1532.
- The Inca people developed a complex system of government, architecture, and engineering without the use of the wheel or a written language.
Inca Engineering Feats
- The Inca built an extensive network of roads, known as the Qhapaq Ñan, which spanned over 30,000 km.
- They constructed bridges, including suspension bridges, to cross rivers and valleys.
- The Inca developed advanced agricultural systems, including terracing and irrigation, to cultivate crops in the Andean highlands.
Inca Agriculture
- The Inca people developed agriculture in the Andean highlands, cultivating crops such as potatoes, maize, and quinoa.
- They built terraces, known as andenes, to cultivate crops on steep slopes.
Inca Architecture
- The Inca built impressive architectural structures, including Machu Picchu, which is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
- They developed a system of architecture that harmonized with the natural environment, using local materials and incorporating natural features into their designs.
Inca Communication System
- The Inca developed a messenger system, known as the chasqui, which used relays of runners to deliver messages across the empire.
- The chasqui system was used to send messages, including military communications, across the vast empire.
Inca Mythology
- The Inca people believed in a complex mythology, including the god Inti, who was associated with the sun.
- They believed in the concept of "Mitimae," where the emperor was considered a god on earth.
Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century and abandoned before the arrival of the Spanish.
- The city was built on a mountain ridge over 2,400 meters above sea level.
- Machu Picchu was likely used as a retreat for the Inca emperor and his nobles.
The Fall of the Inca Empire
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The Inca Empire was defeated by the Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro, in 1532.
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The empire was weakened by civil war and disease introduced by the Spanish.
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The last Inca emperor, Tupac Amaru, was executed in 1572, marking the end of the Inca Empire.### Machu Picchu's Construction
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The location of Machu Picchu is not a coincidence, and it would be impossible to build such a site in the high mountains if the substrate didn't fracture.
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Other Inca localities like Cuzco, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo also sit at the intersection of faults, which favored the construction of Machu Picchu.
Water Availability and Drainage
- The availability of water was a crucial factor in the construction of Machu Picchu, and the tectonic faults in the area channeled melting water and rainwater to the site.
- The fractures and faults allowed for the drainage of large amounts of water during frequent storms in the area.
Excavation and Exploration
- Around 60% of the constructions in Machu Picchu remain buried, and many things may still be discovered in the area.
- There are unexplored paths that have become inaccessible due to the density of vegetation.
Andenes (Terracing)
- Andenes were an innovative technology that allowed the formation of the Inca Empire in the ancient Inca territory.
- These terraces, known as "andenes," are scattered throughout the Andes, helping the Incas to conform the largest empire in South American history.
Mummification and Royal Treatment
- The Incas performed high-quality mummification, and the sovereigns were considered divine, with their mummies being preserved and venerated as if they were alive.
- When an emperor died, his body was mummified, dressed in fine clothes, and adorned with gold accessories.
Human Sacrifice
- Human sacrifices took place when an emperor died, and the bodies of the emperor's wives and concubines were sacrificed during the funeral ceremonies.
Veneration of Royal Mummies
- The Incas treated the royal mummies as if they were alive, providing them with food and water to maintain cosmic order.
- The mummies were taken out in processions and placed in the Temple of the Sun in Cuzco, where they were believed to provide counsel and grant audiences to their successors.
Historical Accounts and Legends
- The Spanish conquistador Garcilaso de la Vega wrote about the process of mummification when the king died.
- The historian José de Acosta described the body of the Inca Pachacuti, pointing out that it was well-preserved and seemed alive.
The Disappearance of Royal Mummies
- The Spanish conquistador Juan Polo de Ondeardo gathered the mummies of several Inca monarchs and hid them to prevent desecration.
- The last mention of the mummies dates back to 1638, and their current whereabouts remain a mystery.
Archaeological Discoveries
- The Argentine archaeologist Rodolfo Raffino made important discoveries in the Shincal archaeological site in Catamarca, Argentina, demonstrating the reach of the Inca civilization in Argentina.
The Inca Empire
- Covered an area of approximately 800,000 km² from modern-day Colombia to Chile
- Established in the 15th century and lasted until the arrival of the Spanish in 1532
- Developed complex systems of government, architecture, and engineering without the wheel or written language
Inca Engineering Feats
- Built an extensive network of roads, known as the Qhapaq Ñan, spanning over 30,000 km
- Constructed bridges, including suspension bridges, to cross rivers and valleys
- Developed advanced agricultural systems, including terracing and irrigation, for cultivating crops in the Andean highlands
Inca Agriculture
- Cultivated crops such as potatoes, maize, and quinoa in the Andean highlands
- Built terraces, known as andenes, to cultivate crops on steep slopes
Inca Architecture
- Built impressive architectural structures, including Machu Picchu, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World
- Developed a system of architecture that harmonized with the natural environment, using local materials and incorporating natural features
Inca Communication System
- Developed a messenger system, known as the chasqui, using relays of runners to deliver messages across the empire
- Used the chasqui system to send messages, including military communications, across the vast empire
Inca Mythology
- Believed in a complex mythology, including the god Inti, associated with the sun
- Believed in the concept of "Mitimae," where the emperor was considered a god on earth
Machu Picchu
- Built in the 15th century and abandoned before the arrival of the Spanish
- Located on a mountain ridge over 2,400 meters above sea level
- Likely used as a retreat for the Inca emperor and his nobles
The Fall of the Inca Empire
- Defeated by the Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro, in 1532
- Weakened by civil war and disease introduced by the Spanish
- Last Inca emperor, Tupac Amaru, was executed in 1572, marking the end of the Inca Empire
Machu Picchu's Construction
- Location of Machu Picchu not a coincidence, as the substrate's fractures favored its construction
- Other Inca localities like Cuzco, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo also sit at the intersection of faults
Water Availability and Drainage
- Water availability was a crucial factor in the construction of Machu Picchu
- Tectonic faults in the area channeled melting water and rainwater to the site, allowing for drainage during frequent storms
Excavation and Exploration
- Around 60% of the constructions in Machu Picchu remain buried, with many potential discoveries still to be made
- Unexplored paths have become inaccessible due to the density of vegetation
Andenes (Terracing)
- Andenes were an innovative technology that allowed the formation of the Inca Empire
- Scattered throughout the Andes, helping the Incas to form the largest empire in South American history
Mummification and Royal Treatment
- Incas performed high-quality mummification, with sovereigns considered divine and preserved as if alive
- When an emperor died, his body was mummified, dressed in fine clothes, and adorned with gold accessories
Human Sacrifice
- Human sacrifices took place when an emperor died, with the bodies of the emperor's wives and concubines being sacrificed
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Description
Test your knowledge of the Inca Empire, its history, government, architecture, and engineering feats in pre-Columbian America.
