The Incas

Incas The Incas were a powerful civilization in South America from 1200-1535 CE. Their economy was based on agriculture, and silver/gold jewelry trade. Their religion was polytheistic.

Incas Their capital city was Cuzco. Machu Picchu was high in the Andes Mountains. They used step, or terrace, farming. The Incas had many important achievements: Stone-covered roads to connect empire (bridges) Architecture included stone palaces, temples, fortress Advanced medicine (example: brain surgery)

Incas—Late 1300s The Inca started as a small group that were located in Cuzco. They did not begin to become powerful until after the fall of the Moche of Peru. Pachacuti was a leader who unified the Inca and established the Inca Empire.

Organization of the Empire Emperor Nobles, High Priests Warriors, Officials Merchants, Artisans, Farmers Slaves, Prisoners The Inca Empire was built on war and bribery. The conquered peoples were all taught the same language. Each region was appointed a governor who answered to the Emperor.

Culture Incas were required to marry from within their own social group. Women were expected to live at home; the only alternative was to be a priestess. Most people were farmers, they also herded llamas and alpacas. A system of knotted strings was used to keep records. This was called a quipu.

Road System 24,800 miles of road The Inca built roads to unify their people. Roads made travel and communication throughout the empire more efficient. There were rest houses and storage depots along with bridges to span ravines and waterways.

Machu Picchu City built at 8,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains. They had great buildings made of stone held without mortar. The Urubamba River flows below Machu Picchu. Archaeologists believe Machu Picchu was constructed for use as a Royal Estate.

Defeat of the Inca Empire The Spanish arrived in 1531 led by Francisco Pizarro. Spanish Conquistador led a band of 180 men with superior weapons. The Inca, like the Aztec, were devastated by the disease smallpox. After the death of the Inca Emperor a civil war broke out, Pizarro took advantage and defeated the people. Pizarro and his men established Lima as the new capital of the Spanish Colony in 1535.

Incan Civilization Located in the Andes Mountains of South America Represented by Machu Picchu Ruled by an emperor Economy based on high-altitude agriculture Polytheistic religion Road System

Inca Gold & Silver

Incan Terrace Farming