- Bandages and coca
- Cure against malaria
- Inca brain surgery
- Agricultural techniques
- Terrace system
- Irrigation systems
- Camellones
- References
The contributions of the Incas to humanity are currently known thanks to archeology and modern anthropological study. The fields of medicine and agriculture have been widely influenced by the heritage of this culture.
For example, the Incas knew very well the effect of certain plants on the human body, used alternative methods for growing food, and even performed brain surgeries to treat aneurysms with success of up to 90%.
You may also be interested in the contributions of the Zapotecs or the Mexica.
Bandages and coca
There is archaeological evidence that shows that the Incas used bandages to protect and heal wounds.
Even without knowing about infections, they had empirical knowledge about the importance of protecting wounds to facilitate healing.
They used the coca plant to boost the immune system, and improve blood flow and oxygen absorption.
This may be the cause of the ability of this town to live at altitudes that range between 2000 and 6000 meters above sea level.
Cure against malaria
Cinchona or cinchona is a plant with antipyretic, analgesic and antimalarial properties.
The kellawaya (Inca healers and medical experts) used cinchona to fight fevers, infections, general pain and even malaria.
Inca brain surgery
Just as or more surprising are the brain surgeries performed by the Incas, similar to current craniotomies.
These surgeons managed to pierce the skull of their patients to treat aneurysms and war injuries, giving a survival rate of up to 90% after the procedure.
The use of bandages and great knowledge in medicinal plants are believed to have helped patients survive such interventions.
Agricultural techniques
The Incas were very good farmers, maintaining vegetable crops that are still part of the gastronomy of Peru and Bolivia. Some of these are corn, peppers, potatoes, and peanuts.
Carrying out these crops in mountainous areas is not common in other parts of the world, but the Incas achieved it by combining several techniques that are used today for eco-sustainable crops.
Some of the techniques they used with the following:
Terrace system
To make better use of the land on the hills and mountains, the Incas made a series of stepped terraces. Thus they could have flat spaces for planting and cultivation.
Irrigation systems
Their knowledge in hydraulics allowed them to develop a canal system to make optimal use of water.
These canals obtained water from streams and distributed it directly to the fields.
Camellones
The mounds of earth built to store water in rainy areas are so called.
In this way, they not only protected the active crops, but they could drain the water directly to the terraces through irrigation systems.
References
- The sophisticated brain surgery of the Incas - El Mundo elmundo.es
- Benefits of coca tea - Muy fitness muyfitness.com
- Inca Empire - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Inca Agriculture, Sowing in the Mountains - Inca Portal portalinca.com
- Inca agriculture - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org