INCA ARCHITECTURE: CONSTRUCTIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS - HISTORY - 2025

The Inca architecture includes all buildings constructed by the Inca Empire before the Spanish arrived. It was characterized by the use of stones, bricks and adobe, a kind of mud brick but not fired, only dried in the sun.

Inca architecture stood out for its solidity, simplicity and symmetry. He was also characterized by the planning of his works: before making the constructions they made sketches and models, using a system of measurements created by them.

Many of its constructions were characterized by being cyclopean, that is, they were made with huge superimposed stone blocks, and they usually did not use any type of mixture to fix the stones and cover the walls.

However, they also had polygonal and cellular constructions and in some cases they were a bit rustic.

The Incas made civil, military and religious constructions. Among the buildings of a religious nature, the Koricancha or Inti Kancha (Temple of the Sun) and the Acllahuasis (House of the chosen ones) stand out.

The three main characteristics of Inca architecture

1- Solidity

The solidity of Inca architecture is closely linked to the construction materials, the use of polygons and the way in which they were placed.

Carved and polished stone was one of the materials preferred by the Incas. By carving it, making it take the shape of polygons, they made each block could be joined with the other.

At present the solidity of the Inca constructions is evident since they have remained unchanged with the passage of time, even resisting earthquakes.

2- simplicity

Inca architecture is different from other pre-Hispanic architectures because it did not use decorations to make its constructions attractive.

Only a few temples had gold and precious stone ornaments.

3- Symmetry

In the constructions of the Incas, carved stones were used in the form of geometric figures such as trapezoids, rectangular parallelepipeds, among others.

Each of the stones was placed in such a way that it was related to the whole, allowing them to converge at various points.

Architectural types

The Inca architectural types are defined according to the way in which the walls and walls of their buildings were made.

The four main architectural types will be detailed below:

Cyclopean type

This architectural type was characterized by making constructions based on huge stones.

Rustic type

The constructions of this type were made with stones that did not fit with each other, for which there were free spaces.

These empty spaces were covered with mud and small stones.

Cell type

Inca cell-type constructions are all those in which their walls and walls were formed with a structure similar to that of a honeycomb. In this case the stones were carved in the shape of pentagons.

Imperial type

The imperial-type constructions were characterized by the use of stones of a regular height, which were placed in horizontal rows

Forms of Inca architecture

Inca architecture had different forms and each one was used depending on the type of construction that was intended to be done.

The ushnu

The ushnu are truncated pyramid-shaped structures; that is, they are pyramids that have no tip. Its construction was made with stones in the shape of rectangular parallelepipeds placed in a staggered manner.

This type of construction was used by the Incas for their religious celebrations. For this, the Inca climbed the pyramid, sat on a stone chair that was at the top and presided over all ceremonies and rituals.

Acllahuasi

The Spanish Garcilaso de la Vega translated this term as "House of the chosen ones." They were buildings where the "acllas" resided, women of singular beauty who were chosen to serve the Inca or the Inti (Sun god).

These served him in specific tasks: cleaning, slaughter, production, among others. There was an acllahuasi in every major city of the Inca Empire.

The acllahuasi is a construction with cushioned stone bases and adobe walls. As a large number of women lived there, it was necessary for them to have many rooms.

The kancha or koricancha

The kancha is an Inca construction that was composed of a rectangular fence made of stones, which contained three or more rectangular structures located symmetrically, around what was considered a central patio.

In Inca architecture, the kancha were used to form the Inca cities. Consequently, in some cases they were made to serve as a temple and other times they were created to serve as palaces and houses.

The kallanka

These constructions were rectangular spaces of great length similar to some sheds. They were located in the areas surrounding the great Inca squares.

Most relevant constructions

Cusco city

The city of Cusco was made up of great Inca buildings: the Ollantaytambo, the Koricancha, the Quengo, the Pisac, the Machu Pichu and the fortress of Sacsayhuamán.

This city had stone streets and had a drainage system. It also had two main squares.

Machu Pichu

Machu Pichu is a construction located on top of a hill and is part of the city of Cusco.

In this place are the solar clock, located in a truncated pyramid, and the Temple of the Three Windows. In the center of Machu Pichu there is a square with a rock right in the middle.

Pisac

Pisac is a military construction shaped like a partridge. According to the Inca tradition, the constructions had to be shaped like birds or some other animal.

Sacsayhuaman

The sacsayhuamán is a religious-type construction that was made up of three platforms contained with zigzag-shaped walls.

References

1. Inca architecture. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from Wikipedia.org
2. Inca architecture. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from ancient.eu
3. Inca architecture. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from discover-peru.org
4. Inca architecture lesson for kids. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from study.com
5. Inca architecture. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from about-peru-history.com
6. Inca architecture: The function of a building in relation to its form. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from minds.wisconsin.edu
7. The construction of Machu Pichu. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from rediscovermachupichu.com
8. Ushnu. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from Wikipedia.org
9. Coricancha. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from Wikipedia.org
10. The Marvels of Incan Architecture. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from globocation.com