Introduction
The largest and most influential empire to have ever existed in South America, the Inca civilization, represents a history subject we all should have heard of. With its roots in the Pacific coast of the South American continent, in the Andean region, this empire has achieved its notoriety for its network of roads, the people’s way of communication, their religious rituals and the architectural value of the empire. Additionally, one fun fact is that the Inca empire has drawn the Nazca lines. These are groups of geoglyphs, located over a large surface of 500 square km in the South of Peru, resembling mostly plants and animals.
How the civilization emerged
As most cultures, the Inca empire, also known as Tawantinsuyu, is considered to have been created by deities, in this case Inti, the god of the sun. Manco Capac, the first ruler, is thought to have emerged with his three brothers and four sisters from a cave. With him in the lead, they wandered from one place to another until they found the valley of Cuzco, where they made their establishment. This favorable environment helped their agriculture to prosper.
Innovative way of communication
The Inca empire had a unique way of nonverbal communication. Quipu was a system of knotted ropes which helped people keep track of taxes, numbers and other kinds of information. According to researchers, the characteristics of each rope, from the material to the length, were crucial in deciphering the information it contained. Additionally, it is believed that quipu was practically based on a decimal system. In order to remember a number, people would use different types of knots and the numeric value would depend on its position in the rope. After the conquest of Spain, quipu was later replaced.
The main sacred center
Not only was Cuzco the capital of Tawantinsuyu, but also a significant place for religious practices. From this area they expanded and incorporated numerous tribes, who spoke multiple languages. The most widely known language is Quechua, which is still spoken and preserved today.
The conquistadors
In the beginning of the 16th century, after Columbous’ voyages, the empire suffered a major change. Spanish ships arrived in South America. They spread diseases, like smallpox, which reduced the empire’s population. The diseases were one of the factors that urged the Inca Civil War. After the death of their father, two brothers, named Atahuallpa and Huascar, began fighting over the throne. After numerous battles, Atahuallpa came out victorious.
Not much time had passed since the war, when in 1532, the Spanish conquistadors made their appearance on the Inca territory. Led by Francisco Pizarro, with weapons never seen before by the Inca people, they conquered the region and eliminated those who opposed. The year 1572 marked the end of Inca.
Conclusion
It is vital to learn about the past and prior civilizations. Their actions and they themselves marked an evolution in the history of humankind. Civilizations rise and fall, appear and disappear and this shows that we are in a continuous evolution and transformation.
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