SS6H1a:Inca Background

The The IncaInca

BackgroundBackground

Empire extended Empire extended along the Pacific along the Pacific coast from coast from northern border of northern border of modern Ecuador modern Ecuador to central Chile to central Chile

The Incas The Incas

EconomyEconomy

Most Inca were farmers.Most Inca were farmers. They cultivated corn, potatoes, squash, They cultivated corn, potatoes, squash,

tomatoes, chili peppers, and cotton.tomatoes, chili peppers, and cotton. The Inca cultivated 240 types of potatoesThe Inca cultivated 240 types of potatoes

and over 20 types of corn.and over 20 types of corn.

AgricultureAgriculture

Intensive agricultural techniquesIntensive agricultural techniques Inca empire spanned many types of environmentsInca empire spanned many types of environments Required terraces to make farmland out of the Required terraces to make farmland out of the

mountainous terrainmountainous terrain Chief crop was the potatoChief crop was the potato Herded llamas and alpacas for meat, wool, hides, Herded llamas and alpacas for meat, wool, hides,

and dung (used as fuel)and dung (used as fuel)

EconomyEconomy The Inca raised dogs, guinea pigs, and The Inca raised dogs, guinea pigs, and

alpacasalpacas…. ….

…and why did they raise Guinea Pigs?

… … for a source of food!for a source of food!

Llama

ClothingClothing

Most of the Inca’s clothing was made from Most of the Inca’s clothing was made from Llama wool or cotton.Llama wool or cotton.

The wool from the Alpaca was used for the The wool from the Alpaca was used for the clothing of the Emperor and his nobility.clothing of the Emperor and his nobility.

Other JobsOther Jobs Incas not involved with farming might have been Incas not involved with farming might have been

potters., cloth makers, or …potters., cloth makers, or …

even practice surgery.even practice surgery.

ArchitectureArchitecture The Inca could build without using mortar.The Inca could build without using mortar. They cut huge stones slabs to exact fit.They cut huge stones slabs to exact fit.

Machu PicchuMachu Picchu

Terraced Mountain Side Used For Farming

Inca RoadsInca Roads

The Inca built a paved road systemThe Inca built a paved road system It included over 16,000 miles of roadwayIt included over 16,000 miles of roadway The longest system ran north and south along The longest system ran north and south along

the coast of Chile and inlandthe coast of Chile and inland There were east and west roads to interconnect There were east and west roads to interconnect

to the north and south roadsto the north and south roads

Inca Runner’s HutInca Runner’s Hut

New TechnologiesNew Technologies

Major Roads of Major Roads of the Inca Empirethe Inca Empire

Social StructureSocial Structure The Incas had a very clear social structure. The Incas had a very clear social structure.

The ruler, the Sapa Inca, and his wives, the Coyas, The ruler, the Sapa Inca, and his wives, the Coyas, had supreme control over the empire. had supreme control over the empire.

Social StructureSocial Structure The High PriestThe High Priest MilitaryMilitary

Then came the Four Apus, the regional army Then came the Four Apus, the regional army commanders.commanders.

Temple priests, architects, administrators and Temple priests, architects, administrators and army generals. army generals.

Merchants and Middle ClassMerchants and Middle Class artisans, musicians, army captains and the Incan artisans, musicians, army captains and the Incan

"accountants." "accountants." Sorcerers, farmers, herding familiesSorcerers, farmers, herding families SlavesSlaves

QuipusQuipus

A quipus consists of a main cord from which A quipus consists of a main cord from which pendant cords hang. (Pendants of pendants are pendant cords hang. (Pendants of pendants are called subsidiaries.) called subsidiaries.)

QuipusQuipus

The quipus was used to record censuses, The quipus was used to record censuses, inventories, tribute records, and documents inventories, tribute records, and documents about transactions; Spanish courts also accepted about transactions; Spanish courts also accepted them as documents of record in early colonial them as documents of record in early colonial timestimes..

ReligionReligion Main god was Inti, god of the sunMain god was Inti, god of the sun

In the capital of Cuzco, some 4,000 priests, In the capital of Cuzco, some 4,000 priests, attendants, and virgin devotees served Intiattendants, and virgin devotees served Inti