The Incas In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: Andes Mountains Terrace Farming Cuzco Achievements of the Incas Cy-Ranch 2014-2015

Early Andean Society and the Chavín Cult Early migration to Peru and Bolivia region By 12,000 B.C.E. hunting and gathering peoples reached South America By 8000 B.C.E. they began to experiment with agriculture Complex societies appeared in central Andean region after 1000 B.C.E. Andean societies were located in modern-day Peru and Bolivia The Chavín Cult, from about 900 to 300 B.C.E. Complexity of Andean society increases during Chavín Devised techniques of producing cotton textiles and fishing nets Discovered gold, silver, and copper metallurgy Cities began to appear shortly after Chavín cult Early Andeans did not make use of writing

The Incas developed a civilization in a valley of the Andes Mountains around 1100 A.D. first settling around lake Titicaca The Incas built their capital, Cuzco, high in the Andes Mountains At its height, the empire stretched 2,500 miles. The Incas Cy-Ranch 2014-2015

By 1400, the Inca began extending their rule across the Andes. The Incas ruled an empire covering much of present- day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile.

Because they lived in the mountains, the Incas engaged in wise step-like terrace farming. Cy-Ranch 2014-2015 Terrace Farming Early agriculture in South America Main crops: beans, peanuts, sweet potatoes, cotton Fishing supplemented agricultural harvests

The Incas built their capital, Cuzco, high in the Andes mountains. Capital at Cuzco, which had as many as three hundred thousand people in the late fifteenth century The ruins of the ancient Incan capital are found in present-day Peru.

Official runners carried messages; spread of Quecha language One Inca road was 2,500 miles long. The Incas also built rope bridges to connect their empire.

The Incas were adept builders. The Incas were very advanced. They constructed buildings without mortar or cement. Instead, bricks fitted together perfectly. Cy-Ranch 2014-2015

The Incas built beautiful cities. Machu Picchu, a fortress city of the Incas, still stands. At its height, more than 12 million people lived in the Incan empire. Cy-Ranch 2014-2015

The Inca ruler was known as the Sapa Inca. All land belonged to the Sapa Inca. But he let others farm it and pay taxes to the state. Trade limited Local barter in agricultural goods Fewer specialized crafts

Inca society was also a hereditary aristocracy Chief ruler viewed as descended from the sun, owned everything on earth After death, mummified rulers became intermediaries with gods Aristocrats enjoyed fine food, embroidered clothes, and wore ear spools Priests led celibate and ascetic lives, very influential figures Cy-Ranch 2014-2015

Welfare Cy-Ranch 2014-2015 While all land belonged to the Incan emperor, he let other people farm the land and pay taxes to him. The government also took care of the sick, the elderly, and the orphan. The government provided for the less fortunate members of society.

Religion Inca priests served the gods Venerated sun god called Inti Creator god, Viracocha Ritual sacrifices practiced, but not of humans Inca religion had a strong moral dimension: rewards and punishments

Achievements Incan doctors set broken bones Cy-Ranch 2014-2015 Incan doctors set broken bones and even knew how to perform brain surgery! They also developed medicines from plants. The Incas invented the crowbar. The Incas built buildings without mortar. The Incas provided for all members of the empire.

Unlike the Maya, the Inca never developed a form of writing. But they did keep records by using a quipu or knotted rope to count and send messages.

The Incas were conquered by Francisco Pizarro in the 1530s. Cy-Ranch 2014-2015

Francisco Pizarro arrived in modern-day Peru in 1532. Pizarro and his men marched toward the Inca capital and discovered that the Incas were in the midst of a civil war.

The Incan emperor, Atahualpa, met the Spaniards with no weapons. The Spaniards attacked the Incas and captured Atahualpa.

Atahualpa promised to fill a large room with gold if Pizarro would release him. He kept his promise but Pizarro killed him anyway.

With the Inca emperor dead, the Incas surrendered. But Pizarro and his men fought over the gold and Pizarro was eventually killed by his own men.

Cy-Ranch 2014-2015

Questions for Reflection: Where did the Incas build a vast empire? How did the Incas feed a vast population on the mountains? List three achievements of the Incas. What did the Incas create to increase communication within the empire? What did the Incas do that surprises people even today? Cy-Ranch 2014-2015