The Inca civilization only lasted about 100 years, but during that time, they developed a very interesting culture, one that is still being studied by

The Inca civilization only lasted about 100 years, but during that time, they developed a very interesting culture, one that is still being studied by archaeologists to this day. They had Machu Picchu and a sophisticated network of roads, a well-developed agricultural system and a generally law-abiding society too. These are some well-known facts about the Incas, but there’s so much more that you may have never heard of. So why don’t you take a look at five amazing facts about the Incas. 1. They Had No Written Language, But Were Great at Counting Although the Incas didn’t have a written language, they did develop a very ingenious way of counting and recording figures, something that archaeologists still don’t fully understand to this day. Their counting system was made up of a complex system of notes known as khipus or quipus, which they employed to keep track of financial transactions. Khipus also encoded history, biographies, inventories and even letters, though researchers have yet to discover non-numerical meanings for the knots. For example, the distance between knots may have corresponded to the amount of goods being counted and the greater the distance, the more wheat or potatoes left in their possession. 2. They Were Great Stargazers The Incas were such fans of the stars that the Inca city of Cusco was laid out in a radial pattern that mimicked both the rays of the Sun and certain constellations. They also decided when was the best time to plant and harvest their crops by carefully measuring the movements of the stars. Machu Picchu was also home to two mirror pools which archaeologists believe were used to watch the reflections of the constellations in the water. Not to mention that they were very much aware of the planet Venus and its path in relation to the Sun. 3. Fantastic Irrigation Systems Despite the challenges that came with the steep Andean mountains, the Incas managed to overcome that by creating highly effective terrace and irrigation systems that allowed them to plant crops. This was done by cutting wide platforms in a step pattern into the sides of mountains to provide flat areas for the crops. Their drainage system channeled water from the mountains during the wet season to the crops down below. They were even able to withstand months of drought thanks to their genius irrigation system. 4. Suspension Bridges When the Spanish conquistadors stumbled upon Peru during their voyage, the sight of the suspension bridge was something they could not comprehend. Despite inventing the wheel, the Spanish just could not figure out how a bridge made from grass and alpaca wool was erected over a gorge that descended 250 feet below. The Inca perfected this technique and despite the death of their society, their descendants have kept the tradition alive in the form of Q’eswachaka where the locals would rebuild the bridge in only three days. 5. Telling Time Inca-Style The Inca had their own way of measuring time which they achieved with the help of Intihuatanas or, “hitching posts of the Sun.” Two of them can still be found at Machu Picchu, though one was damaged after a crane fell onto it during the shooting of a beer commercial in 2000. Like many other sundials, the Incas measured time by the shadow produced from the rock at the center. It also served as a sort of altar where people offered prayers in hopes of a successful harvest.

Amazing Facts About the Incas

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