The Inca Empire, centered in Cuzco, was structured around the belief that the sun-god Inti protected their society, and rulers identified as 'sons of the sun.' The Incas utilized quipu for record-keeping and constructed monumental stone works, but had no writing system or advanced tools. The empire collapsed in the 1530s when Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro defeated them, compounded by disease outbreaks like smallpox.

1. Inca Empire

2. Organized SocietyThe Inca believed the sun-god Inti protected the Cuzco, the Incan capital. Rulers called themselves “sons of sun”Every man, woman, and child over five had to work.

3. Inca CultureOnly used human sacrifice in times of trouble.To please their god, Inca built large works of stone.They had no system of writing, no wheels, and no iron tools.

4. QuipuThe Incas used “quipu,” a rope with knotted cords of different lengths and colors.

5. Pachacuti—means “earth shaker”Highest Incan god.Pachacuti and his son Topa Inca built the largest ancient empire in the Americas.He set up a strong central government.

6. Pizarro and the IncaBy 1530s, the Inca thought they ruled most of the world.Inca could not stop smallpox or Pizarro.Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish explorer.Pizarro defeated the Inca.