Changes

The Incas differed from the Aztecs in that the Incas did not demand tribute to fund the empire.  Instead, the Incas required people to work in “mita”, which were shifts of mandatory farming, building, or mining.  Small groups formed (“ayllu”) to do community projects.  Women cared for the households and did tasks like making clothes.  Like the Central American (“Mesoamerican”) societies, daughters inherited from their mothers and sons inherited from their fathers, a system known as “parallel descent.”

The Incas differed from the Aztecs in that the Incas did not demand tribute to fund the empire.  Instead, the Incas required people to work in “mita”, which were shifts of mandatory farming, building, or mining.  Small groups formed (“ayllu”) to do community projects.  Women cared for the households and did tasks like making clothes.  Like the Central American (“Mesoamerican”) societies, daughters inherited from their mothers and sons inherited from their fathers, a system known as “parallel descent.”

The Spanish called the Incas “big ears” because the wealthy (aristocrats) would wear earrings so heavy that they would stretch their ears.  The king, or “Inca”, was considered to be a god who descended from the son, while his main wife was considered to be from the moon.  Like the Egyptians, mummification was used to preserve the rulers after they died, and major decisions would even be made in the presence of the mummies to benefit from their wisdom.

The Spanish called the Incas “big ears” because the wealthy (aristocrats) would wear earrings so heavy that they would stretch their ears.  The king, or “Inca”, was considered to be a god who descended from the sun, while his main wife was considered to be from the moon.  Like the Egyptians, mummification was used to preserve the rulers after they died, and major decisions would even be made in the presence of the mummies to benefit from their wisdom.

Religion played a key role.  There was a god believed to be the creator named Viracocha.  Human sacrifice was used but animal sacrifice was more popular.  Sin was recognized and punished in an afterlife.  The main religious city was probably Machu Picchu, located high in the Andes and first discovered in 1912 by Hiram Bingham.

Religion played a key role.  There was a god believed to be the creator named Viracocha.  Human sacrifice was used but animal sacrifice was more popular.  Sin was recognized and punished in an afterlife.  The main religious city was probably Machu Picchu, located high in the Andes and first discovered in 1912 by Hiram Bingham.