Andean States 5

Tiwanaku and Wari: Key cultures that emerged during this era.
Moche Influence: Tiwanaku and Wari coexisted with the declining Moche civilization (600-1000 CE).

Geography: Located on the Altiplano near Lake Titicaca, an area suitable for camelid herding at an elevation of 3800 m above sea level.
Population: Supported over 20,000 people between 375 to 700 CE.
Trade: Established trade routes by llama caravan with the southern coast as early as 600 CE.
Monumental Architecture:
- Kalasasaya:
- Low platform mound with dimensions 120 m x 130 m.
- Surrounded by high stone walls, aligned with cardinal directions.
- Features the "Gateway of the Sun," depicting the creator god Viracocha.
- Akapana:
- Large platform measuring approximately 260 m x 200 m and 16.5 m high.
- Terraced structure with sunken courts, surrounded by priest residences.
- Water management system that created moats during the rainy season.
Cultural Practices: Rulers presented as deities in ceremonial events, dressed in traditional costumes.
Trade Activities: Engaged in extensive trade involving textiles, pottery, copper, and gold, and military conquests established colonies along trade routes.

Geographical Span: Controlled areas from the Moche to Nazca regions and extended into the highlands.
Capital City: Huari, with a population of 70,000.
Culture and Economy:
- Shared iconography with Tiwanaku, worshipped similar deities.
- Expansion through trade, military conquests, and assimilation.
- Developed a system of roads to connect the empire and state-controlled storehouses.
- Economic organization based on mit’a tax system, utilizing labor from the populace.
Record-Keeping: Utilized khipu, a system of knotted strings, for data tracking and administration.

Potential Causes: Large-scale drought, internal warfare.
Cultural Impact: Despite the collapse, regional styles persisted for centuries and influenced the later Inka Empire.

Empire Formation: Unified the northern and southern Andes, referred to as "Tawantinsuyu" (land of the four quarters).
Cuzco: Considered the navel of the universe and capital of the Inka Empire.
Creation Myth: Inka people considered chosen descendants of Inti, the Sun God. The Sapa Inka acts as the earthly representative of Inti.

Structure: Small scale farming societies around Cuzco organized into ayllus (kin groups).
Leadership: Early leaders were called sinchi, recognized for warfare successes.
Population Dynamics: Initially a small group of 40,000, grew to control 6-10 million through conquests.
Leadership Reforms:
- Sapa Inka Viracocha claimed divinity and instituted a sun cult.
- Pachacuti: Transformed Cuzco into a powerful empire during his leadership.

Mit’a System: Required labor from males aged 15-50 for public works and military service.
Economic Role: Provided food and textiles produced from state-controlled labor.
State Support: Assistance during labor requirements provided for household needs.

Territorial Organization: The empire spanned 5500 km, divided into four quarters meeting at Cuzco, further subdivided into provinces.
City Planning: Cuzco's layout is said to resemble a puma, with structures like Sacsayhuamán.
Coricancha: Temple dedicated to Inti, decorated lavishly with gold; housed mummies of rulers.

Road System: Approximately 40,000 km of roads facilitating trade and military movement.
Tambos: Administrative centers along major routes providing rest and supplies.

Khipu: Record-keeping device using knotted strings to denote quantitative data and laws.
Tax and Economic Management: Managed through a complex unwritten system, administered effectively without written language.

Arrival of Pizarro: Exploited internal strife and diseases like smallpox.
Capture and Execution: After demanding ransom for Atahualpa, Pizarro executed him despite the payment.
Downfall of Inka Empire: Following the conquest, the empire faced severe decline, with significant population loss due to diseases and violence.