By Katie Johnson
About the Inca Indians
The Inca civilization is believed to have first emerged in the early 13th century along the western side of
South America. In 1438 A.D., the Inca Empire began to gain power, spreading throughout what is now Peru, Ecuador, Chile and parts of Bolivia and Argentina. The empire lasted only until 1532, when the Spaniards invaded and conquered the region.
Society
The highest ruler in the Inca Empire was known as Sapa Inca, which translates to "only Inca." Below him, the empire was made up of individual clans called ayllus. Each ayllu supported itself in the ways of farming, trading and education.
Language
Though the Incas had no writing system, they spoke a language called Quechua. It is still spoken today along the western side of South America, primarily in Peru.
Agriculture
Flat farmland was not available to the Incas, as they lived in a mountainous terrain. They employed the method of "terracing," which involved carving a series of fields along the sides of hills and mountains. Their most common cultivations were potatoes and corn.
Religion
The Incan religion was a nature-based theocracy, and the sun-god Inti was worshiped above all others. The Sapa Inca was believed to be a direct descendant of the sun-god.
Architecture
The Incas were highly skilled architects. They constructed elaborate buildings with stone blocks that fit together impeccably--mortar was not even required to hold the stones in place. The most famous Inca site is Machu Picchu, the ruins of which can still be seen today atop the Machu Picchu mountain in Peru.
About the Author:
Katie Johnson is a native of Los Angeles and has been writing professionally since 2009. Her published work on eHow.com and Travels.com includes several articles relating to health, science and travel. She is a graduate of UCLA's Writers' Program, which provided her with extensive studies in novel, short story and essay writing.
Photo Credits:
Ruines inca image by vigorin from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
