Between 1200 and 1535 AD, the Inca population lived in the part of South America extending from the Equator to the Pacific coast of Chile.

Inca warriors and costumes The beginning of the Inca rule started with the conquest of the Moche Culture in Peru. The Inca were warriors with a strong and powerful army.

THE INCA EMPIRE Because of the fierceness of their army and their hierarchical organization, they became the largest Native American society.

Their cities and fortresses were mostly built on highlands and on the steep slopes of the Andes Mountains. The architecture of the Inca cities still amazes and puzzles most scientists.

Carved Inca Steps Stone steps lead up to the top of the cities, which consist of stone houses and religious buildings.

Inca Buildings The blocks of stones weigh several tons and they are fit together so tightly that not even a razor blade can fit through them.                               

Machu Picchu-ROYAL TOMB shows superb Inca stonecutting

The central city was mainly used for government purposes, while the citizens occupied surrounding areas. Their homes were made from the same stone material and had grass rooftops.

Building overlooking the Urabamba valley

Restored house at Machu Picchu with a thatched roof

Houses at Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu in the background

House with three stone walls

Ruins of small gatehouse close to Intipunku

An Inca sundial at Machu Picchu

View across the terraces towards Huayna Picchu

View of the summit of Huayna Picchu, showing terracing

MACHU PICCHU INCA city in the clouds          

The Inca society was arranged by a strict hierarchical structure The Inca society was arranged by a strict hierarchical structure. There were many different levels with the Sapa, high priest or ruler, and the army commander at the top.

Family members were councilors to the Sapa and even women had authority in the Inca hierarchy. The temple priests, architects and regional army commanders were next.

Gold, to the Incas, was the 'sweat of the sun' The two lowest classes consisted of artisans, army captains, farmers, and herders. Farmers provided most of the subsistence for the rest of the population. They had to pay tax in the form of gold, which were distributed to the higher classes.

Evidence that they used irrigation They expanded farming into the highland areas. They developed drainage systems and canals to expand their crop resources. Potatoes, tomatoes, cotton, peanuts and coca were among the many crops grown by the Inca.

Inca used ingenious vertical irrigated terraces; PISAC

Sacasahuman They built enormous fortresses on top of steep mountains that enabled them to see their enemies and defend themselves. One of the most famous Inca fortresses is Sacasahuman located in Cuzco, the Inca Empire capital.

On the Lookout    "EGG HUT"-  referring to the ovoid shape of the towers. Incas signaled  from this FORTIFIED LOOKOUT concerning intruders.

incredible system of roads Even though the Inca never had access to the wheel, they built a sophisticated road system to connect the villages. The roads were paved with flat stones and barriers to protect the messengers, or chasqui, from falling down the cliff.

The highest point in an Inca village was reserved for religious purposes. This point was the closest to the sun, which represented their major god, Inti, the Sun God.                                                                         

Main Ceremonial Complex / Sacred Inti huatana Stone/Celestial observatory                                                                       

INCA at PISAC- SACRED PORTAL TO INTI HUANTANA-( SUN ) CHAMBER

INCA at PISAC- SACRED STONE INTI HUATANA-( SUN ) HINGE

Gods and Goddesses of the Inca                                         The six major gods of the Inca represent the moon, sun, earth, thunder/lightning and the sea.

Pachamama is the earth god, who is the mother of all humans. The Inca had shamans who believed in animal spirits living on earth. Heaven was depicted by the condor, the underworld by the anaconda, and the brother who resided on earth was the puma.

The Temple of the Sun at the Winter Solstice The Sun Temple, located in Machu Picchu, Peru, was a religious calendar that marked the winter and summer solstices.

The TEMPLE of the CONDOR Here we see the head of the condor surrounded by its white ruff. In front of the head is a large abstract representation of a ruff possibly to accentuate the importance this feature held for the Inca.

The Inca were not only fierce conquerors but they also had a violent punishment system. If someone stole or murdered, they were thrown off a cliff, hands cut off or eyes cut out, or hung up to starve to death. Prisons were of no use because punishment usually consisted of death.

The 40,000 member army of the Inca was destroyed by a 180 member Spanish conquistador army, which was commanded by Francisco Pizarro. The warriors of the Inca were no match for the Spanish guns.

By 1535, the Inca society was completely overthrown.

The height of their reign in the 15th century came to a brutal end in 1535 when the Spanish conquistadors took over their territory.

Inca Today

Quechua children at PISAC

WARI Children- MARCAHUASI "GUIDES"

MARCAHUASI - INCA 'CHULPAS' (Burial Chambers) PERU

Quechua Women in Market, ACORA, PERU 1984                                                                                                                                 

Quechua Women passing on Trail, PERU, 1984                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                         

WILKAWAIN, INCA- (QUECHUA) WOMAN with BULL- N. PERU -1984