Incas

Used Quipu to keep records

Consisted of knotted strings of cotton or wool. System used to keep records of numbers of llama. Quantities of corn or the number of days commoners worked for the government.

Hunting was an important achievement of Inca civilization because

Hunting parties were organized to find animals. The Sapa King gave permission for people to hunt. Some female animals were set free.

They studied movements of the sun and moon to develop calendars. They were used to decide when to plant crops or celebrate festivals.

How were astronomy and farming connected?

They built a series of warrior kings who led the Inca empire.

Who were the Sapa Incas?

Close relatives of the ruling family.

Who were the highest ranking nobles?

Stretched more than 15,000 miles across the empire. They crossed mountains, deserts, and jungles. They spanned over rivers on bridges that swung from cables. Roads were paved with stones which made it very durable. It connected all areas.

Why was the road system important for unifying the Incan empire?

Challenges of Life in the Empire

2,500 miles in length. Built thousands of miles of roads. Built 1 room stone huts. Variable landscape, coastal deserts, lofty andes, moutain ranges and rain forests. Climate varied tropical to polar. More than 6 million had to be fed each day.

Roads were an important achievement of Inca civilization because

Armies, goods, messages, and people are moved quicker when using the road. It was really long and still stands today.

Agricultural Technology was an important achievement of Inca civilization because

Built terraces to create as much farmland as possible. Used irrigation system to water crops. Used fertilizers to help grow more food per acre.

Nobles

Capac Incas were Inca nobles by blood. Controlled land and valuable resources. Leaders of bureaucracy army and priesthood Also became the governors of the 4 quarters.

Sapa Inca

Decedent of sun God Ruled by divine right Subjects couldn't look him in the eye. Did not walk as a mortal but was carried on a golden litter. Married to Coya (empress)

Weaving was an important achievement of Inca civilization because

Different types of clothes were made for different classes then you could tell what class they were in. Tapestries, grain sacks, and weapon slings were made.

The Empire was divided into households.

Every 10 households were governed by the head of 1 household who reported to the heads of other households. This way Inca controlled economies of diverse communities and were able to collect taxes easily.

Pachacuti. (1438-1463)

Had a vision that convinced him to use warfare to spread Inca culture. Promised peace and gifts backed by threats won many battles. Forced conquered people to obey inca leaders and learn Quechua allowed them to keep native language, leaders, and Gods.

By marching into battle they sang terrifying bloodthirsty songs to terrify the enemy. Built a strong army for war. Offered peace and protection.

How did Pachacuti build a strong empire?

There was no money so people paid taxes with labor. Which is called the Mita system.

How did people pay taxes?

They cut terraces on hillsides, or strips of level land that are planted with crops. Irrigation canals carried water to terraces.

How did the Andean people create flat land on which to farm?

Cut terraces or strips of level land that are planted with crops.

How did the Incas grow crops in the Andes?

It was split into 4 corners.

How did the Incas organize their empire?

Forced their language Quechua on conquered peoples. It was only spoken not written.

How did the Incas use language to help unify the empire?

Quipu was an important achievement of Inca civilization because

It was used as there language and number system It was also used to keep track of important events like birth, death, weapones and food supply.

Suspension Bridges were an important achievement of Inca civilization because

It was used for transportation Used for expading the steep narrow gorges between moutains where arched stone buildings and wooden structures would not have worked. Engineering masterpiece.

Pottery was an important achievement of Inca civilization because

It was used to store food and water. It was considered useful and attractive.

Reed Rafts were an important achievement of Inca civilization because

Lightweight boats were used for fishing and transportation. Large boats were used a to carry large loads up the coast.

Machu Picchu.

Located in the Andes in northwest in Peru. One example among hundreds of Inca ruins. Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911. Capital was Cuzco.

Government Officials

Many levels of officials administrated populace which was broken down into decimal units. At the bottom were leaders from conquered regions: they continued to rule groups of households.

Domesticated animals were an important achievement of Inca civilization because

Most important animals were llamas they were used for meat and wool. Guinea pigs were raised for food.

Potato Cultivation was an important achievement of Inca civilization because

One of the main foods eaten for every meal. Dehydrated potatoes were made.

Topa Inca Yupanqui

Pachacuti son Ruled enormous empire used innovative techniques to collect taxes.

Mummification was an important achievement of Inca civilization because

Preserved the remains of the dead. Tombs were filled with items needed for the afterlife. Dead rulers still helped the empire. Brought out of tombs during important ceremonies.

Surgery was an important achievement of Inca civilization because

Priests combined science and religion. Trephination was pieces of bones that create pressure in the head. Holes in the skull are sometimes filled with gold plates.

Huayna Capac

Ruled empire at the high point. Fathered 2 sons Atahualpa and Huascar they didn't trust each other. Priests favored Huascar and army favored Atahualpa as a next leader which led to a 6 year civil war. Atahualpa won and it weekend the empire.

Inca Agricultural Techniques.

Terraced mountainsides and used guano as fertilizer. Raised llamas Channeled water and diverted rivers to irrigate arid areas.; Filled and drained marshes to produce suitable farmland. People produced corn, many types of potatoes, quinoa (etc)

Gold work was an important achievement of Inca civilization because

The Incas worshiped Gold as it was called the sweat of the sun. Palaces were decorated in Gold. Figures were made out of gold and silver.

Inca Laws regulated daily life

The state designated jobs for everyone. Had to help with a large scale of inca projects such as army roads. In addition to working there own land commoners worked the Incas fields and contributed food and cloth to the state warehouses.

Stone Architecture was an important achievement of Inca civilization because

To build impresive towns Stones were carefully shaped so they would fit perfectly in there spot. Almost all towns had the same look.

Music was an important achievement of Inca civilization because

Used for religious and cerimonies and rituals. Slow and repetavitve. Poets who were part of the government travled to sing about events chanting the news of the empire.

The slops are rocky and steep. The climate is cold. Breathing is difficult because the air is so thin at high elevations.

What conditions make life difficult in the Andes?

They believed they were descended from Inti. As long as they honored the Sapa Inca, conquered people were allowed to worship their own deities as well.

What did the Incas believe about the relationship between the Sapa Inca and the god Inti?

Incan cities were marvels of stone architecture. They cut stones with stone tools and each stone were placed perfectly. No mortar was used to hold the blocks in place. Many of the buildings still stand after hundreds of years.

What evidence indicates that the Incas were master builders?

Cotton, Alpaca fur, and Vicuna (which is an animal similar to a llama or alpaca.)

What materials did the Incas use to weave cloth?

Architecture, astronomy, and metalwork. Architects built great stone architecture. Inca's most important metalwork was gold, and silver. Astronomy was combined with farming.

What was the Incas greatest achievement? Explain.

Their road system.

What was the Incas' greatest engineering feat?

Each category had its own work and duties

What was the advantage of organizing the common people according to age and gender?

To keep records of people and goods.

What was the purpose of a quipu?

Customs and local rulers

What were people who willingly joined the Incan empire allowed to keep?

Nobles and Commoners.

What were the main classes of Inca society?

Cuzco

Where was the center of government?

Huayna Capac died between 1525-1530 without arranging a successor. 2 of his sons fought to decide who would take his place. Their civil war shattered the Inca World. Invasion by Spanish conquistadors

Which events led to the fall of the empire?

Andes Mountains

Which geographical feature shaped the Inca way of life?

Gold sweat of the sun and Silver tears on the moon.

Which precious metals did the Incas use to make jewelry and for decoration?