Fascinating Inca Facts You Should Know
It’s possible that the Inca facts and their rich history attracted you at some point in your life. Collaboration with Sparrow Explorer Travel will allow you to have a better understanding of the Inca legacy. To begin, depending on how you define the term “ancient,” you may be startled to find that the Incas ruled quite recently in history. This is because, for the amount of time that humanity has existed, the Incas ruled very recently. It just so happened that Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press and the advent of Europeans in North America coincided with the height of the Inca Empire.
The facts shown here are only a few of the exciting material that we have in our hands, and it is our intention to provide you with a wealth of knowledge about the Incas. In this comprehensive article, we will look further into the manner of life in Tahuantinsuyo, also known as the four corners of the Inca Empire, during the historical era spanning the 15th to early 16th centuries. After a short period of time, the Incas had established themselves as the most powerful civilization that existed before the arrival of the Spanish. This feat was completed in a relatively short amount of time. This success might be attributed to a variety of factors.
The top 12 fascinating facts concerning the Incas
1. Approximately one century was all that the Inca Empire lasted.
Despite the fact that we do not know when the Inca civilization first emerged, the majority of researchers say that it began around the 13th century. Most experts agree on this. In addition, there is a fascinating narrative and mythology that serve as the foundation for everything. It is thought that the deity Inti, also known as the Sun deity, was responsible for delivering the first Incas, Manco Capac and his sister Mama Ocllo, who would eventually marry him, to Earth. Isla del Sol, popularly known as the Sun Island, is adjacent to Lake Titicaca, where they are supposed to have originated. It is thought that they originated in the holy waters of Lake Titicaca.
Having said that, archaeologists believe that the empire began to grow about 1400 E.P. as a result of reliable carbon dating procedures conducted at several different Inca sites. As a result, when we talk about the Inca Empire, we are referring to the period of time when the Incas transitioned from being one of the many dominant cultures in the Andes at the time to being a conquering power that eventually reached from what is now Argentina to Colombia. This era of time is known as the Inca Empire.
The magnificence that they had acquired as a dominant force was suddenly and ruthlessly cut short. Smallpox appears for the first time, posing an invisible threat. Huayna Capac, the tenth Inca, died unexpectedly in 1528 from an unknown sickness, most likely smallpox.
Almost soon after his death, a civil war broke out between his sons, Atahualpa and Huáscar. This struggle, along with the awful disease that was spreading across the people, severely weakened the empire’s defenses. Because of these two features, the Spanish were able to effectively conquer the Incas in 1532, resulting in the success of their attempt.
2. The Incas possessed Khipu but no written alphabet.
Quechua is not only a widely spoken language, but it has also long been one of the most commonly spoken. Since the Spanish invasion in the early to mid-16th century, intellectuals and linguists have been working to develop a written Quechua language. This project has been ongoing for almost a generation. However, even now, the bulk of current spellings of Quechua expressions are being questioned. Although they had previously used the Roman alphabet, this is the present position.
To what degree were the Incas able to spread so much knowledge (both quantitative and qualitative) throughout such a vast empire? What were the circumstances that made this possible? The device they used was either a khipu or a quipu, depending on how it was spoken. It may have been one of these two combinations. The gadget was notable in that it was not only unique but also incredibly cutting-edge in terms of design. A knot record employs the decimal system to transmit information that is dependent on the number and kind of knots on each string. This material is sent in order to enable its diffusion.
3. Alpacas, ducks, guinea pigs, and llamas were among the very few animals that the incas domed.
The Incas held their domesticated animals in extremely high regard, as did other cultures in the Americas prior to the advent of European colonists. This was also true for other cultures in the Americas. In addition to their primary use as pack animals, llamas and alpacas were utilized to produce a large amount of wool and leather. Despite the fact that traveling from place to place was their primary goal, this is the case. Many individuals in the Western world were surprised to hear that ducks and guinea pigs were raised primarily for food but were never the primary source of sustenance. Many individuals were surprised to learn this knowledge.
Without llamas, the empire may not have grown to its current size. This is a possibility. Llamas were an important resource for delivering large numbers of highly sought-after products such as fish from lower-level rainforests and potatoes (which are exclusively found in Peru), quinoa, and other very beneficial agricultural crops grown at higher altitudes. Llamas were also utilized to convey many other items. Llamas played a crucial role in transporting these commodities. They mostly used llamas to bring products into and out of the nation. They used them for both of the aforementioned purposes.
4. The great bulk of the Inca inhabitants had a vegetarian diet.
The Incas found it quite simple to transition to a vegan lifestyle. Guinea pigs, also known as cuy in Quechua, were their principal source of animal protein. During that time, cuy meat was only consumed on special occasions, like weddings and funerals. This is still the case in modern-day Peru, owing to the fact that the majority of Peruvians only eat guinea pig at family gatherings and national festivals. This reflects the reality that this remains the case. Despite the fact that this is still the case, it provides an accurate picture of the circumstances.
The Incas were able to produce and collect a diverse range of wonderful plants, which we now consider to be nourishing meals. This was done despite having a restricted source of animal protein. As a result, they now have access to a diverse range of nutritious meals. This category includes over 4,000 different types of potatoes, quinoa and amaranth (also known as kiwicha), maca, purple maize, cacao, sacha inchi (also known as the jungle “peanut” and a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids), and a wide variety of other foods.
5. Complimentary gender roles were respected by incas; no machismo
Prior to the Spanish invasion, the majority of civilizations had a power structure that was balanced between males, women, and people who identified as belonging to a third gender. Furthermore, these civilizations demonstrated and appreciated some degree of gender fluidity in their cultures. The Incas were no exception when it came to traditional gender norms. They did not represent an exception.
People who had two souls, known as Quariwarmi in Inca civilization, were not only venerated but also elevated in social status as shamans because of their abilities. This was due to the fact that they had two souls each. The reason for this was because the Incas revered Chuqui Chinchay, a god with both masculine and female aspects. This was the explanation behind it. Furthermore, women were not only active members of society, but they were also held substantially responsible for the financial records and transactions maintained by their families and communities. This was the case because women were the primary caregivers in their homes and communities.
6. Ayni was a special communal concept that the incas had.
The concept of ayni is one of the concepts that is still extensively followed and integrated into the Andean people’s modern culture. Many aspects of Inca civilization and culture have survived and been absorbed into modern life. These topics will be covered more below. For example, when the exquisite Quechua word ayni is translated into English, it means “today for you, tomorrow for me.” This is only one example. This term emphasizes the concept that we all live in a society that is interdependent and that in order for someone to benefit, they must first contribute to the community. This is the meaning of the statement.
Rituals were performed under the Inca Empire, and these rituals were where the concept of ayni was most vividly exhibited. There were pagos de tierra as part of these festivities. During these rites, a wide range of tangible and earthy items were delivered to Pachamama, also known as Mother Earth. Shamans and passersby both brought her these items. This gesture was made to demonstrate respect and gratitude to Pachamama for the enormous prosperity she had provided. Pagos a la Tierraais still frequently performed and considered a tradition in rural communities throughout the Andes.
7. There was never a concern about starvation for the Incas.
The Incas not only had a highly developed and successful agricultural system, but they also had food storage mechanisms in place, ensuring that no one went hungry. A significant stride forward in technological advancement was made here. The widespread idea of ayni at the time made this possible. Evidence implies that a significant element of this system predates the Inca Empire’s establishment. The available evidence supports this. This is due to the fact that Andeans have used unique agricultural tactics for around 8,000 years, such as the creation of vertical terraces for polyculture.
In summary, the Incas pooled the great agricultural experience of the conquered peoples and ensured that everyone was cared for in a way that benefited all parties involved. This was done by making sure that resources were distributed fairly. The use of refrigeration systems within spherical buildings known as qollcas was one example of a technology that was widely used during the Inca Empire. The objective of making qollcas out of volcanic stone was to minimize humidity accumulation and keep the temperature cool. This was done to get the intended effects.
8. The Incas were a group of imperialists
Overall, the Incas were imperialists, despite the fact that this may appear to be an obvious conclusion given all we’ve discussed about the Inca’s empire. They did this under the guise of ultimate authority, with the primary goal of uniting as many various peoples and cultures as they could possibly dominate.
The Inca civilization is notable for its enormous accomplishments in construction, agricultural expansion, gender equality, and intriguing cosmology. As a result, the prevalence of these characteristics makes it easy to romanticize this civilization at this time. Furthermore, they differed from the Spanish and other colonial powers that arrived later because their goal was not to change the people they “adopted,” but rather to incorporate the distinctive characteristics of each civilization into their empire. This distinguished them from the Spanish and other colonial powers. Because of this, they were distinguished from the Spanish and other colonial soldiers that arrived throughout time.
On the other hand, they crossed the boundary of permissible behavior in certain ways, just like every other strong organization in human history. This is what they did. During their reign, the Incas had to deal with a series of rebellions, particularly in the forest. They had a really difficult time completing their assignment. Certain individuals battled the empire with everything they had, and they won.
9. It was never entirely possible for the Incas to conquer the Jungle.
To this day, the majority of Quichua communities in Ecuador reject their Incan origin. This continues to be true today. The claim that they are Inca descendants is not true. This not only makes great logic, but it also makes excellent sense given that Ecuador was the final border occupied by the Incas before being overrun by Spanish forces. Furthermore, they experienced the most substantial opposition in Ecuador, particularly in the Amazon area, where the two nations had few cultural commonalities. This was especially true for the Amazon area. This was, in their opinion, the most difficult hurdle to overcome.
The indigenous peoples and cultures of the Amazon rainforest and other sections of the continent already had their own pre-existing alliances and viable societies, which differed significantly from the civilization that thrived in the Andes. This was also true in other regions of the continent. To add insult to injury, this was also the case.
10. The incas adhered to three realms or planes
The Inca religion was organized around three unique planets, or planes, each represented by a different animal. The condor, puma, and snake were the beasts in question. The condor guards the spirit world, known as Hanan Pacha, and is responsible for its maintenance. When it comes to protecting the earthly world, also known as Kay Pacha, the puma is held accountable. On the other hand, the snake is recognized as a member of the Uku Pacha, the name used to designate the underworld. On the other hand, the story emphasizes that these three nations and animals are also known by a separate name, the Inca Trilogy.
11. The area covered by the Inca Road System was 40,000 miles
The legendary Inca Trail is located 25 kilometers along the Qhapaq Ñan, a linking Inca trail spanning 30,000 miles. This part of the Qhapaq Ñan stands out due to its small size and thorough maintenance. To improve communication, defense, and trade, the Qhapaq Ñan needed to climb the Andean Mountain passes, which were roughly 20,000 feet above sea level. Because it extended all the way down to the plains near the shore, it became an important part of the empire.
12. The structure of the Incas was designed to be in harmony with the cosmos.
The Incas had a sophisticated grasp of astronomy as well as a profound awareness of how humans interact with nature. This was done to develop a link with nature and the universe. The reason for this is that they methodically selected the location and built each and every building, taking into account the natural properties of the region as well as how those factors interact with the planets and stars. Thus, this measure was performed to ensure that the intended outcome was achieved.
One example of this type of structure is the Machu Picchu complex, which was built on the highest point of a mountain and surrounded by the Vilcanota River. Furthermore, during the solstices and equinoxes, you will be able to observe the sun rising and setting above sacred Apus (mountain spirits) from certain viewing points within Machu Picchu’s citadel. You will be able to accomplish this by using the designated observation points. This alignment occurs at the solstices and equinoxes, which are periodic events that occur throughout the year.
We would like to invite you to contact us as soon as possible in the hopes that you will be inspired by all of the exquisite parts of Andean culture and history that originated with the Incas. This will allow you to start planning your own excursions through lands once ruled by the Incas.
