Inca Empire
Cuzco's ancient realm
The Inca Empire was the largest pre-Columbian civilization in the Americas, spanning much of western South America from present-day Colombia to Chile at its height in the early 16th century.
Centered in Cusco (in modern Peru), it was known for advanced engineering—including Machu Picchu and an extensive road network—and a complex administrative system, all without a written language.
The empire fell to Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro in the 1530s.
Incan sanctuary in Peru
- ashlarPrecision-cut building stone
- polygonalHaving many straight sides
- mortarlessWithout binding compound
- interlockingEngaging by overlap
stonework · andesite · diorite · granite · precision · quarry · terracing · trapezoidal
South American western range
- QuechuaAndean indigenous language family
- llamaDomesticated Andean pack animal
- alpacaFleece-producing Andean camelid
- vicuñaWild Andean camelid
guanaco · Titicaca · coca · chicha · quinoa · potato · panpipes · poncho
Raised flat outdoor areas
- irrigationArtificial water supply for agriculture
- cultivationFostering growth through care
- crop yieldAgricultural production amount
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
topsoil · erosion · slope · drainage · maize · potato · quinoa · freeze-drying
Former Incan imperial seat
- TawantinsuyuQuechua name for realm
- quipuKnotted-cord recording system
Conquistador of Peru
- SpanishLanguage of Iberia
- colonizationForeign territorial takeover
- ransomPayment for captive's release
- executionCompleting a planned task
civil war · smallpox · resistance · encomienda · conquest · defeat · fall · epidemic
Authoritative wisdom source
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- pilgrimageReligious journey to shrine
- shrineSacred devotional place
- priestessFemale religious officiant
Absorbing territory into jurisdiction
- confederationAutonomous entities united loosely
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- militaryArmed forces collectively
conscription · roads · provinces · assimilation · tribute · garrisons · frontiers · Ecuador
Machu Picchu
Incan sanctuary in Peru
- ashlarPrecision-cut building stone
- polygonalHaving many straight sides
- mortarlessWithout binding compound
interlocking · stonework · andesite · diorite · granite · precision · quarry · terracing · trapezoidal · niches
Andes
South American western range
- QuechuaAndean indigenous language family
- llamaDomesticated Andean pack animal
- alpacaFleece-producing Andean camelid
vicuña · guanaco · Titicaca · coca · chicha · quinoa · potato · panpipes · poncho · altiplano
terraces
Raised flat outdoor areas
- irrigationArtificial water supply for agriculture
- cultivationFostering growth through care
- crop yieldAgricultural production amount
altitude · topsoil · erosion · slope · drainage · maize · potato · quinoa · freeze-drying · harvest
Cuzco
Former Incan imperial seat
- TawantinsuyuQuechua name for realm
- quipuKnotted-cord recording system
Pizarro
Conquistador of Peru
- SpanishLanguage of Iberia
- colonizationForeign territorial takeover
- ransomPayment for captive's release
execution · civil war · smallpox · resistance · encomienda · conquest · defeat · fall · epidemic · gold
oracle
Authoritative wisdom source
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- pilgrimageReligious journey to shrine
- shrineSacred devotional place
annexation
Absorbing territory into jurisdiction
- confederationAutonomous entities united loosely
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
military · conscription · roads · provinces · assimilation · tribute · garrisons · frontiers · Ecuador · Chile
- historyancient civilizations, past events, historian, epochs, era
- Americas HistoryAmerican Revolution, colonial era, colonization, Columbus, conquistadors
- ancient civilizationsAncient Egypt, Sumer, Ancient Greece, Aztecs, Egypt
- Latin AmericaArgentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Cuba
- empiresemperor, empress
- Mesoamerican civilizationhuman sacrifice, jaguar warriors, priesthood, temple complexes, pyramids
Inca EmpireAmazonian tribes
Indigenous groups of South American jungle
empire, imperial, empires, Empire, imperium, Incan, Inca, Incas, imperially