The Inca Roads and the Atlantic Network

ENDNOTES

Seven hundred ago, the towering Andes possessed more than snow-capped mountains and lush, green forest. Through valleys and deserts was a map of Inca ambition, the Capac Ñan, or the “Great Road” which represented the expanse and expertise of the empire.1 These roads served numerous functions ranging from military, commercial and spiritual. The construction of the network of Inca roads reflects not only strategic intelligence, but also sophistication. The roads covered 40,000 km of land through two main north-south highways. One spread from modern day Ecuador to Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina while the other passed through the highlands.2 The Inca used a variety of tools to build their roads. Consequently, the roads are not made of one uniform material. For example, one portion of the road was constructed with wood, while others were made of stone or bronze as each population utilized the tools available to them.3 In an attempt to impress travelers with Inca prowess, the roads possessed an extreme amount of elaboration and attention to detail.4 The vast expansion of the roads served various purposes across the empire.

In times of war and conflict, not only did the roads provide direction for armies, but also for government communication. These roads optimized communication through the use of Chasquis or “runners.” These messengers operated in relays to pass information to a new runner stationed every six to nine kilometres.5 This system was necessary considering the Indigenous people did not use written language. Consequently, the messages were short and concise to aid in recollection and minimize errors.6 However, communication was not just reliant on the use of Chasquis. In times of rebellion or invasion, fires were lit from distant mountain tops near the roads to alert travelers.7 As a result of their interconnected nature, the roads provided efficient communication amidst the challenges created by mountainous terrain. This led to further consolidation of Inca power and control.

Additionally, Incan roads were of commercial and spiritual importance. As a result of the vast expansion of the roads, economic opportunities were born. Not only did they allow for the movement of goods across plains, deserts and mountains, but also connections to neighbouring peoples.8 The expansion of roads beyond Inca settlements allowed for the facilitation of trade with different people groups.9 Even those on the road for trade purposes were connected to the spiritual values of the Incan empire. Along the route were religious centers like Pachamac and sacred mountains and volcanoes where human sacrifices were made.10 Furthermore, the stones of the road carried importance as they were considered to be of “fluid form”. As a result, the Incas who constructed the road had to ask permission and negotiate with beings already there to turn the stones into a “functional form.”11 Therefore, the roads not only represented the commercial desires of the Incas, but also their spiritual worldview.

However, once the Spanish arrived, the roads no longer worked in the Incas’ favor and soon fell into disarray along with the rest of the empire. Upon the arrival of the Spanish in 1526, the road was not necessarily a symbol of Incan power, but of its vulnerability. Not only did the Spanish presence lead to internal fighting and disease, but the road system allowed for them to benefit from the unprecedented access to the empire that the Incas used to enjoy.12 What once tied the Inca Empire together was now its downfall as Pizzaro used roads to aid in his conquest. The construction workers of the rope bridges along the road would likely be surprised to know that their expertise allowed the Spanish to ride their horses across and conquer the empire.13 However, even the road’s vital use to the Spanish faded over time. Within a year of the consolidation of their rule, the Spanish shifted their interest towards the fallen empire’s gold and silver and the once great Capac Ñan fell into disrepair.14 However, not all was lost. Many sections of the road network are still used today by pedestrians and the same bridges and roads which were essential to life in the Inca Empire are now occupied by tourists.15 The Incas’ vision for crossing terrain and distances was so advanced that modern roads were built directly above several routes. Despite the tragic changes that altered the use of the road and the lives of its builders, it remains a reminder of the intelligence, strength, and story of the ancestors of the Andes. Perhaps their stones serve as a representation to the many tourists of what was lost, and what grandeur this region could possess had history played out differently.

Analise Saavedra

International Studies major

The Inca’s engineering of roadways and agricultural terraces in mountainous terrain was one key to the expansion of the empire, photo by Liesl Clark, “The Lost Inca Empire.” PBS. Fair use. The Inca road system was used almost exclusively by pedestrians and pack animals, including llamas. historyofinformation.com. Fair use. (International Development track), Spanish concentration