1400s -1532

The Inca

Created

2500

mile

Empire

in the

Andes

Mountain

s

Incan GovernmentRuled by an Emperor—

held absolute power, owned everything and was the chief religious leader—claimed to be son of the sun.

Strong Centralized government

Everyone had to speak Quechua and follow the Incan religion

INCA POLITICAL SYSTEM

CAPITAL AT CUZCO

“THE LOST CITY” Incan city isolated in the Andes

Mountains Discovered in 1911 Archaeologists estimate that

approximately 1200 people could have lived in the area, though many theorize it was most likely a retreat for Incan rulers

Want to see more? Check out this website for 360° views of this amazing city: http://www.peru-machu-picchu.com/funerary-rock.php

MACHU PICCHUA new 7 Wonder of the World

worshippe

d many

gods

related to

nature and

guardian

spirits

chief deity

—sun god

RELIGION

Temple of the Sun god

INCAN ADVANCESBuilt terraces—flat area

of land on hillsides. Incas had to adapt to their mountainous environment and provide ample food.

Kept records with knotted colored string called quipus.

Excelled in medicine—performed surgery, used herbs and antiseptics

Roads help bind the Empire

Temple to the Sun—built with stone blocks, inner walls lined with gold. Built with advanced technology and able to withstand earthquakes

Roads: More than 12,000 miles of

roads runners carried news across the

roads, kept capital in contact with entire empire.

armies could move quickly over roads and crush rebellions.

INCA AND ENGINEERING

INCAN Roads Last!

The Destruction of the Incas

1532 destroyed by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizzaro

Nov. 1532 Spanish betray and capture Incan Emperor Atahualpa then slaughter thousands of Incans

August 29, 1533 Incan Emperor Atahualpa is strangled to death by the Spanish—the Inca people were helpless without the direction of their emperor and the capital fell without a struggle.