Chapter 1
Sovereign nations of the northern woodlands and plains
Chapter 2
Mesoamerican architects of science and empire
Chapter 3
Andean masters of high-altitude engineering
Chapter 4
Keepers of the tropical forests and southern plains
YOUR GOAL
Master of Native nations of the Americas
Ch 3 · Andean masters of high-altitude engineering
schopenhauer Inca High-Altitude Engineering
When the earth begins to shake, the stones will dance (they dance!), then slide right back to their place (right in place!)
schopenhauer The Uru people constructed artificial, floating islands on Lake Titicaca to escape aggressive neighbors.
schopenhauer The Nasca culture carved enormous geoglyphs into the Peruvian desert floor that are best seen from above.
BETA
schopenhauer Decode the ancient khipu knots to learn how the Incas recorded their history.
Fun Fact
Inca suspension bridges: The Inca built woven grass suspension bridges so strong they could carry Spanish horses, and one is still rebuilt by hand every year in Peru.
Glossary
terrace (noun)
A flat, raised level of earth with a vertical or sloping side, often used for agriculture. Inca builders engineered these stone-walled platforms at Machu Picchu to prevent landslides and cultivate crops.
A flat, raised level of earth with a vertical or sloping side, often used for agriculture. Inca builders engineered these stone-walled platforms at Machu Picchu to prevent landslides and cultivate crops.
Quiz
From what natural material do the Uru people construct their floating islands on Lake Titicaca?
Quiz
What did the Inca use instead of a written alphabet to record taxes, census data, and history?
Quiz
What was the name of the 25,000-mile road network constructed by the Inca Empire?
Quiz
In which body of water are the floating artificial islands of the Uru people located?
Quiz
How did the Nasca culture create their famous giant desert drawings, or geoglyphs?
Quiz
What is chuño, a food preservation innovation developed by high-altitude Andean civilizations?