THE INCAS:PEOPLE OF THE SUN

Warm-Up1. Analyze - Why would the Incas be called the “People Of

The Sun?” (DOK 2)2. Analyze - What difficulties would arise from trying to

have a civilization at a very high altitude? (DOK 3)

Use this photo to answer the Warm-Up questions…

INCAS: FACTS AND FIGURES… The Inca Empire began around 1200 A.D.

At it’s height, the Empire spanned more than 2,500 miles and had 12 million people…

-They built more than 14,000 miles of roads to make travel, trade and

transportation easier.

The Capital city was Cusco.

The Empire lasted until 1572…

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MORE FACTS…The Incas were polytheistic (Worshipped many gods) and their chief god was Viracocha – The Creator God

They were ruled by an all-powerful Emperor

They did not have a written language, but they had quipas to keep track of important things…

The Incas were very good at farming. They built aqueducts to move water.

Sometimes, they would mummify their leaders and perform human sacrifices to please the gods…

A Few More Facts…In order to send information

quickly across the large empire, the Incas would use relay runners who would carry quipas and messages with them. They could communicate up to 250 miles a day!

One of their most famous cities was Machu Picchu. It was located at 8.000 feet above sea level and it is one of the New 7 wonders of the world!

The Incas would trade by bartering, trading one good for another. (Example: corn for beans)

Follow-Up Tasks1. The Inca Empire was very large and had many

cities very high above sea-level…what did they create/build to make controlling the empire easier?

2. Draw and fill in your Inca civilization chart as best you can from the information in your notebook.

- Reminder: the categories are: Cities, Religion, Trade, Jobs & Skills, Government, Written Communication.

- The chart should look like this…

**Please answer the following question into your notebook in complete sentences.**