The Inca Civilization had its capital at Cusco and exerted influence over a broad swatch of Pre-Columbian South America, including parts of the present-day countries of Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina. In the 16th century, Spanish forces under the command of Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire, although descendents of the Inca still maintain a powerful cultural and political presence in the region.
Fast Facts:
- Language: Quechua
- Quechua name: Tawantinsuyu
- Emperors were called Supa Inca
- Began around the 12th century
- Important Inca technology: Quipu
Brief History
The Inca civilization began in the 12th century with the consolidation of power of the Inca tribe into a city-state called Qus'qo or Cusco. In the 15th century, the Inca went through a period of rapid expansion, extending their influence throughout the western edge of the South American continents
Achievements
The Inca language, Quechua, is still widely spoken throughout Peru and Bolivia. The Inca constructed massive stone temples, many, such as Machu Picchu, at high altitudes, and were known for their exquisite gold jewelry and decoration. While the Inca did not have a written language, they did record financial transactions and historical information on quipu, a rope system containing coded series of knots. The Llama was an important source of wool for the Inca, as well as transportation.
