Inca People of the Sun Civilization in the Clouds

Gate and arch. “Gateway of the Sun” at Tiwanako near Lake Titicaca. Inca neighbor.

Inca notes Inca lived in the highlands of Peru. Inca lived in the highlands of Peru. Empire reached further than any in New world and was as large as the Roman empire. Empire reached further than any in New world and was as large as the Roman empire. Pachakuti Inca began series of conquests in 1440 AD leading to unified empire. Pachakuti Inca began series of conquests in 1440 AD leading to unified empire. When Pizzaro arrived in 1532 the Inca had just ended a long period of civil war. When Pizzaro arrived in 1532 the Inca had just ended a long period of civil war. Inca cities were linked by extensive road networks. Inca cities were linked by extensive road networks. Surplus food was stored in special cities for times of scarcity. Surplus food was stored in special cities for times of scarcity.

Machu Pichu

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

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 moutain sides, goods from the coast coulfd reach Cuzco in the highlands in one day.

Pisca Q’ uchu

Inca masonry. No mortar. The jig-saw affect locks all pieces.

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

Massive stone block architecture

Modern structure on top of Inca masonry.

Llama

Inca mummy and child sacrifice mummy

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

Atahualpa Inca Pizzaro

Reenactment of Inca festival to the Sun.

Nasca Pre Inca Pre Inca High plateaus of Nasca plain High plateaus of Nasca plain Known only through desert glyphs, pottery, a few pyramid sites Known only through desert glyphs, pottery, a few pyramid sites Practiced cranial deformation possibly as a sign of status. Practiced cranial deformation possibly as a sign of status.

Purposely deformed skulls (Nazca)

Human face jugs. Common element in much Peruvian pottery (pre Inca) Silver Metalwork representation of reed raft. (pre Inca)