Incas (South America)

Definition

The Incas were a powerful civilization that existed in South America from the 13th to the 16th century. They developed an advanced society with complex infrastructure, including roads and bridges, and had a centralized government.

Analogy

Think of the Incas as the architects of a massive skyscraper (their empire). They built each floor (city or region) with careful planning and connected them all with elevators and stairs (roads and bridges).

Related terms

Terrace Farming: A farming method used by the Incas where steps are cut into hillsides allowing agriculture on steep landscapes.

Quipu: An ancient Incan device for recording information, made up of various colored threads knotted in different ways.

Cuzco: The capital city of the Inca Empire, located in present-day Peru.