Investigate how the Chimu influenced the Inca.
The Chimu created posts called tampus to deliver objects.
The Chimu created the quipu to record information.
The Chimu worshipped the creator god Viracocha.
The Chimu built roads and created a messenger system using runners.
The Chimu civilization, which thrived along the northern coast of present-day Peru from the 12th to the 15th century, had a significant influence on the Inca Empire. The Inca Empire, which emerged in the 13th century and eventually became the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, incorporated and built upon various aspects of Chimu culture and technology.
One major aspect of Chimu influence on the Inca Empire was their system of tampus. Tampus were large wooden posts that the Chimu used as a means of delivering objects or messages across long distances. The posts were placed strategically along roads and served as relay points. The Inca Empire adopted this system and further expanded upon it, creating an extensive network of roads and tambos throughout their vast territory. These tambos not only facilitated trade and communication but also served as lodging and storage facilities for Inca officials and messengers.
Another significant contribution of the Chimu to the Inca civilization was the quipu. Quipus were knotted cords used by the Chimu to record and communicate information, including numerical data, records of events, and even narratives. The Inca Empire adopted and expanded upon the use of quipus, turning them into a highly sophisticated administrative tool. Inca officials used quipus to keep records of tax collection, census data, and other important administrative information. The use of the quipu system played a crucial role in the centralized organization and control of the Inca Empire.
Religious influence was another way the Chimu impacted the Inca civilization. The Chimu worshipped the creator god Viracocha as their main deity, and the Inca Empire, after their expansion into Chimu territories, incorporated the worship of Viracocha into their own religious practices. The Inca saw Viracocha as a powerful deity associated with creation and thought to be their own ancestral god. By incorporating the worship of Viracocha, the Inca incorporated elements of Chimu religion into their existing religious beliefs.
Lastly, the Chimu's advancements in road construction and messenger systems greatly influenced the Inca Empire. The Chimu were renowned for their sophisticated road networks and the use of runners as messengers. The Inca Empire adopted and expanded upon these practices, constructing an intricate road system known as the Qhapaq Ñan. This network spanned over 24,000 miles, connecting the entire Inca Empire and facilitating efficient communication and transportation. The Inca also employed chasquis, highly trained and agile runners, to relay messages along these roads at a remarkable speed.
In summary, the Chimu civilization played a significant role in influencing various aspects of the Inca Empire. They introduced the concepts of tampus for delivering objects, quipus for recording information, and the worship of Viracocha. Additionally, the Chimu's advancements in road construction and messenger systems heavily influenced the Inca Empire's own road network and system of runners. These contributions from the Chimu helped shape the administrative, communication, and religious aspects of the Inca civilization.