Mesoamerican & Andean Civilizations (Part 3)

The Inca Empire

• The largest empire the Americas had ever seen and the largest in the world at the time

• Covered a large portion of western South America, centered on the Andean mountains

Statue of Pachacuti in Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu

• An Inca settlement located in the High Andes of Peru• Founded by Pachacuti in 1450 AD as a fortress or

royal estate

Inca Accomplishments

• The Inca road network covered over 40,000 km and was used to transport armies, trade goods, and for runners carrying news and orders

Quipu

Inca Accomplishments

• The Inca were master stone masons

Inca Society

The king was known as the Sapa Inca and was believed to be descended from the gods

Inca Religion

• Worshipped several gods; the most important were:

– Viracocha (______________________________)

– Inti (___________________________________)

Inca Mummies

• The Inca mummified many of their dead and buried them with valuable materials

Inca Art

• In addition to their gold and silver metalwork, the Inca also produced superior textiles and ceramics

Viracocha