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Inca suspension bridge

Inca Roads and Chasquis

Andean Road System
 
The Incas were magnificent engineers, they built the most elaborate network of roads and bridges of any ancient culture, known as Qhapaq Ñan. The success of its empire was …

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Inca Civilization

The Inca civilization was the largest Pre-Columbian civilization in the Americas and Cusco was its capital. The best kept example of its architecture is Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu

The Sacred City is one of the most significant archeological sites left by the Incas

Culture

Fascinating culture and Inca heritage of this beautiful country

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. It occupies an important place in Inca mythology.

Animals of Peru

Animals in Peru have specialized and adapted to the conditions of its geography. At higher altitude levels, few animals and plants can survive because of the lack of oxygen.

Culture, Inca Civilization »

Inca Art Forms

Inca god Inti

Inca art was practical. The Incas were an artistic people who used materials available to them in nature and blended them creating many artistic forms in utilitarian ways. Much of their artistic expression was used in everyday life and had a religious meaning.  Because they did not know science they had to attach powers to natural phenomena worshiping natural resources such as water streams or rocks, animals and almost anything related to nature and the best way to worship was to incorporate their best artistic creations in their offerings to the gods. A good example of art in a tradition that has endured the passing of the years is the Inti Raymi or celebration of the Sun. In this celebration Inca descendants produce the most elaborate costumes in rich cotton textile and offer gifts to the Sun such as food and jewelry. Read the full story »

Inca Facts

Inca Music - religious celebration

The Incas were an ancient people who in the 16th century controlled the greatest empire in the Americas.

The remote ancestors of the Incas were Stone Age hunters who crossed the …

Timeline of the Inca Empire

Topa Inca Yupanqui, the 11th Inca.

Chronological development of the Inca Empire. All dates are approximate.
1200 – The Incas settle in the Cusco Valley. Inca Manco Capac founds the Inca Empire in the .
1230 – Sinchi …

Achievements of the Incas

Inca medicine

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The Incas were magnificent engineers. They built a system of roads and bridges across the roughest terrains of the . Through their and the most advanced centralized economy, the Incas …

Amazon Rainforest Animals

Rainforest toucan

The Amazon Rainforest is home to more than 10,000 species of mammals, with a great majority comprised by bats and rodents. Bats account for about 950 of the mammal species. …

The Amazon Rainforest

Slash and burn agriculture

For centuries the Amazon rainforest has been cleared of plants as soon as humans come in contact with it, be it because of slash-and-burn farming, oil drilling, mining or cutting …

Inca Food

Purple corn

Food consumed by the inhabitants of the varied depending on where in the vast territory they lived.  People living near the coast based their diet on fresh seafood and fruits …

Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon Kayaking

The Colca Canyon is located 160 km or about 100 miles northwest from ; about 3 hours and 45 minutes by bus. It is an enjoyable ride where one can …

Peru History Timeline

Pre-Inca gold mask

Chronological events in the history of Peru.
B.C
7500 – First identifiable villages built in Peru. Nomads became sedentary as they discover agriculture.
ca 1200  –  , the first culture developed in Peru. …

Culture of Peru

School children in Peru

Peru’s culture is a set of beliefs, customs and way of life inherited from the native Inca and Spanish conquistadors and settlers. Immigrant groups such as Africans, Japanese, Chinese and Europeans have also contributed to the society, blend of cultures and ways in which Peruvians live. Whatever their ethnic background Peruvians agree on the importance of family and religion. In many cases generations of a family live together where the younger look after the elderly and help each other in difficult times.

Andean Music, the Music of the Incas

Andean music

The Incas used one word “taqui” to describe dance, music and singing, though this word in Quechua means “song”. They did not differentiate among the three, they were strictly interconnected. Their music was pentatonic, based in the combination of five notes: re, fa, sol, la and do. Music reached through all the corners of the empire, social classes and activities. There were countless songs, tunes and dances which were related to most human activities and were represented by gestures, moves and costumes.