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The Inca Civilization Inca Civilization Just two words! No more, no less! But they tell a story consisting of more than thousands of words! Yes, I meant the words Inca Civilization!! It is one of the short lived civilizations that were flourishing across vast oceans unknown to the Europeans, Africans and the people of the continents located on the other side of the Pacific Ocean until Columbus landed in the Americas in 1491. When I was a school student, many years before, my dad presented me with a book that focused on ancient civilizations. He told me to read and learn the past history of the human beings! The book contained Chapters on Inca as well as Mayan civilizations in addition to our own Indus Valley and Egyptian civilizations. Among all, Inca civilizations impressed me so much that I decided to visit Peru to learn more about these courageous and highly innovative people when I grow up. But it is yet to be materialized although I traveled a number of countries for various reasons during my life since passed! The Inca civilization was formed by ethnic Quechua people also known as Amerindians. They can be traced back in the Andes region during 12th century A.D. This small high land tribe ruled the largest empire ever seen in the Americas and possibly the largest empire in the world during early 16th century. It is really surprising that the Incas could conquer such a vast territory within such a short time! The Inca Empire was greater than the Ming Dynasty of China and larger than the Ottoman Empire. The capital of Inca Empire was located in Cusco, Peru and the Empire was extended from Ecuador in the north, central Chili in the South, Bolivia in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Approximately more than 12 million people from 100 different ethnic groups lived in the empire during its peak period. How could these people rule such a vast empire during a period when central planning was unknown to the world? Perhaps, it was possible because the empire had a complex stratified vertical society governed by the Inca and his relatives. The rulers introduced a well-devised agricultural and roadway system, along with a language and a centralized religion based on the worship of Sun and the Sapa Inca and his , only to be perished by the diseases and the superior weaponry of Spanish invaders. The last bastion of the Inca Empire was overtaken by the Spanish invaders in 1572. It may also be mentioned here that the Incas were wise enough to follow a centrally planned economic policy, and a system to collect tribute, supported by a draconian law system. Perhaps, even the so called civilized people living across an Ocean at that time, did not know much about food security and its fair distribution, free health care and education system that could keep the people happy and loyal to their rulers! The Incas knew these and succeeded even though there was no writing system! The Inca cultures have left many ideas for posterity to explore and ponder upon! The best of these ideas can be explored minutely in order to mix the same with the current ideas if possible, to transform the same into a combined one for taking it to the highest level that the present day human imagination could conceive of for enjoying its benefits each and every day! May we now view below some of the photos of the architectural wonders that the Inca Civilization has left behind for us to see and wonder in amazement? Kindly see the photo #1 below. Can we even guess how the wall was built five centuries before without using modern building tools? It may also please be remembered that wall was built in the city of Cusco which is an earthquake zone! The wall still exists to amuse us. The Incan citadel, Machu Picchu, set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley, that was lost after the Spanish invasion, would only amaze the visitors for many reasons! It is renowned for its dry- stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar, intriguing buildings that play on astronomical alignments and panoramic views (Photo # 2). Now let us view other photos depicting breathtaking Inca Architecture and ponder in amazement!           |
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Very interesting! My brother used to be host of a Travel Show on tv for several years. He went to Machu Picchu for one of the shows. He was very impressed with it! He called me and told me to be sure and watch it.
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I consider your brother a lucky person who went there and could photograph the entire Machu Picchu and the surrounding jungle-covered peaks and valleys that is probably one of the most spectacular scenes on earth. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your informative response! Have a pleasant time, Abelle.
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Amazing, isn't it? Architectural designs by simple tools, yet so much remains in place today. Thanks for an interesting blog. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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I am really happy to read from you here on this page after a considerable long time! I may write in the near future about the Mayan Civilization too. Sometimes, it appears to me that both Mayans and Inca were far ahead of there times! Have a nice time Pansy!
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Since I have not seen the documentary on the Inca mentioned at above, I must refrain myself from making comments on its findings. However, we can say without the fear of creating any controversy that the Incas were highly creative and were capable of building many artistic structures from the materials that were available to them from nature. Thank you for stopping by and reading the article.
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Thanks, LookLook, for another fascinating and educational blog. The pictures are amazing and the stonework of Machu Picchu was far ahead of its time. The destruction of the Incan and Mayan cultures was brought about by the greed of the invaders and the diseases which they carried with them from Europe. Smallpox was especially brutal but other diseases played a part too. Fossil Have a nice time, Fossil and take care!
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Amazing, isn't it? Architectural designs by simple tools, yet so much remains in place today. Thanks for an interesting blog. Have a nice time and take care.[/SIZE]
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Thanks JKH for your visit and your responses! Yes, you are right about the standard and quality of their work. Have a nice time.
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Thank you so much for appreciating the blog of mine, Mary Ann. It always pleases me to read from you here. I am doing fine and hope that you are also keeping well by His Grace. Take care always.
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