Fun Facts About The Incas That Are Worth Knowing 

8 Of The Most Impressive And Fun Facts About The Incas

1. Their Massive Road Systems

During just a short existence of under 400 years (around just 100 years of ruling), the Incas developed over 25,000km of stone paths that connected from as far north as Colombia to Chile in the south. Known as Qhapaq Ñan, it connected the entire empire and allowed the transport of important resources and mass movement of people.

2. Advanced Brain Surgery Techniques 

Quite interestingly, the Inca had a higher success rate of brain surgeries (around 80%) than most developed European countries at the time. Using just primitive stone tools, they performed a procedure called trepanation to relieve pressure build-up and treat head injuries that occurred in battles.

3. Fascinating Non-Written Record Keeping

A feature of many pre-Inca civilisations, the Inca also relied heavily upon the Quipus – which were intricate knotted strings and allowed them to record data and important historical events and teachings. Specialised officials would also use them to track census data, military supplies and even tax records!

4. The Importance Of Sacred Animals

The Inca regularly lived alongside different animals, both for livestock and worshipping reasons. Llamas and Alpacas were some of the most important, which were used to transport heavy goods and supplies, while their highly valuable fur was sheared for use to create important garments and clothes.

5. The Bridges Made Of Grass

Andean territory is not always simple to navigate, with giant ravines and treacherous drops a common headache for those living there. The Inca solved this by creating bridges with rope made entirely out of compressed grass – which would be replaced each year by local communities before it rotted away.

6. Incredible Stonemasonry Achievements 

Perhaps one of the biggest achievements and fun fact about the Incas are their stone creations. Precision techniques allowed ruins like Sacsayhuamán to be built with zero gaps in between tonne-heavy boulders (which even a needle cannot pass through) – which allowed them to shift and survive earthquakes.

7. The Chasquis Messaging Relay System

Those who were fast runners were given the role of relaying messages within the Inca ranks, who would be stationed at small cabins just miles apart from the next runner. By running top speed for short distances from one person to the next, it allowed the Inca to relay verbal messages and quipus as far as 150 miles in a single day.

8. Master Agriculturalists Of The Andes

With millions of their population living up in the harsh Andean regions, the Inca quickly worked out that agricultural diversity was key to feeding their people. For example the impressive Moray Ruins in the Sacred Valley were capable of manipulating water temperatures to grow various crops, while potatoes were frozen to remove moisture – where they could then be stored without rotting.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Fun Facts About The Incas

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get regarding fun facts about the Incas, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

What Were The Incas 3 Rules?

The Incas lived by a strict moral code with many rules which helped govern their society, and from these there were three main rules that were often seen as the most important. The first was known as Ama Sua (do not be a thief), the second was Ama Llulla (do not be a liar), and the third main rule was known as Ama Quella (do not be idle).

Why Were The Incas Killed?

It was the arrival of the Spanish Empire in 1531 which led to the downfall of the Incas, where the majority were killed either in war or conflicts over the following 40 years. The main reason for the conquest was due to the vast abundance of natural riches and resources that Peru has (such as gold) – and once conquered, Peru became one of the most prized colonial assets of the Spanish Empire.

Did Incas Have A Third Gender?

Long before the Spanish arrived and ended the Inca civilization and their practices, there were in fact records of a third gender within this famous Andean culture. As well as standard Males and Females, there was also a third gender known as the Quariwarmi – which was strictly reserved for shamans who committed their life to spiritual practices and often combined both male and female rituals.

Overview Of The Most Interesting And Fun Facts About The Incas

And that’s all for this guide on the different fun facts about the Incas.

Best known across the globe for the mighty Machu Picchu ruins they built, as well as their eventual fall to the Spanish Empire, the Incas’ history of important feats and ingenuity stretch much deeper. This included the advanced surgery techniques with stone tools which had higher survival rates than the most developed countries in Europe at the time, as well as the creation and annual reconstruction of grass-made bridges which allowed them to cross high mountain passes and ravines.

Looking to learn more about the legendary Inca Trail which they were so famous for building? Read Our Comprehensive Inca Trail Guide Now to learn more about its key history and incredible ruins found along the path.