Inca Art and Architecture

By Bruce Frank And Jobie

Table of contents
Pg. 1: Intro
Pg. 2: Stonemasons
Pg. 3: Architecture
Pg. 4: Art
Pg. 5: Conclusion
The Incas were an interesting and diverse culture, who not only varied from many other tribes,
but they expressed their culture in many different ways such as through their art and architecture. They
used these mediums to worship their gods. These objects are essential to us so that we can continue to
learn about this mysterious culture today.

Stonemasons
Stonemasons were used to make precise cuts in both art and architecture. Similarly, the
Stonemasons would grab any materials needed to help make marks on where to cut. Equally important,
they would use the sunlight to make the marks and then sand and cut the stones. Finally, they would
have workers drag the stones, sometimes weigh over 100 tons, towards the correct place to fit it and
start another stone. Also, the Incas Stonemasons would take and integrate water and sand the stones
down to be soft so it was easier to cut. In conclusion, Stonemasons made precise cuts using all sorts of
ways including sanding, light cuts, and many more ways to cut stone very precisely.
Cutting stones was no work for the Incas as that was their skill; moving them however, was
another story. Incans were said to have poured water on the stones and then sand them down to the
right size (Cutting Techniques). Furthermore, the Incans used sunlight to cut by taking a bracelet worn
on the left wrist and holding it up to the sun (Incan Stone Cut). The bracelet had a polished concavity
that caught the sunlight and the cotton below it would immediately catch fire (Incan Stone Cut). Equally
important, gold mirrors were used to reflect sunlight and the reflected light would soften the stones and
make marks on where to cut for precise cuts (Incan Stone Cut).

Architecture
Incans made lots of structures in their time. There were homes, palaces, and temples that the
great civilization constructed. Homes, the most common structures, were rectangular in shape and were
typically two stories tall. The buildings were made of stone and the roof was made of sticks strongly
packed together. The interior of the building had no separating walls and the cut was so precise that not
even a blade of grass could have fit through it. That was how most buildings were created but temples
were a whole other story.
The special Inca temples were a significant place for the Inca gods, like Inti the sun god.
These temples were decorated in lots of ways, such as the sun temple which has his symbol implied all
over the temple. The temple has gold plates, tables, chairs, and walls in the sun temple and will differ
from each temple. The temple of the moon was the closest temple to the sun temple because the moon

was considered a wife to Inti. Other temples would share similarities to other temples like the Moon and
Sun temple. There would often be party to the gods in front of their temple.

Art/Pottery
Incas had a plethora way of expressing themselves through art. Pottery was one of the
ancient ways of decorating or for ceremony (Pottery). The Incas used a glazing technique very advanced
for their time (Pottery). They glazed large pots called Aryballus, and even though they were limited to
red, black, and white as their colors, they still made their art amazing (Pottery). Another way they
worshiped their gods was through statues and Idols. Many of these idols were made of solid gold
because it was known as the sweat of the sun
God Inti (Inca Art). During burials,
these idols were buried with the dead
(Art/Materials). Even though gold
was the most popular, these Idols were also
made out of silver, copper, wood,
This is an
seeds, feathers, seashells, gemstones, and
fine textile (weavings),
example of
an Aryballus.
(Art/Materials). Textiles were a part of life for
Incas, it was their clothes, blankets
and anything else they needed. Textiles were
significant part for all Inca life
(Art/Materials).

Conclusion
Incas were a culture that varied from the Mayans and the Aztecs. You might have
believed they were the same culture, but they were not. Incas lived high in the Andes and the reason
why was and still is very ambiguous. However, one thing all of those tribes had in common was that they
died out and left behind significant artifacts that helped us get a better understanding of them. Many of
the artifacts were just clothing or pottery. However, there have been some amazing discoveries of
frozen mummies high in the Andes that makes us wonder about why these sacrifices were made and
why were there art and gold buried with them. Pottery was buried with pretty much every Inca that died
or was to be sacrificed.
Inca chapter review
Instructions: Questions 1-5 are multiple choice, Circle your answer
1) What year was the last Inca emperor executed?
A) 1535 A.D.
B) 1572 A.D.
C) 1600 A.D.
D) 1700 A.D.

2) What did the Incas use to keep their stones I place?

A) Mortar
B) Glue

C) Clay
D) Nothing

3) Some of the rocks that the stonemasons cut weighed over 100 tons.
A) 2 lbs
B) 100 lbs
C) 1 ton
D) 100 tons

4) What colors were the Incas limited to when making art?

A) Black, white, and gray
B) Black and white
C) The rainbow
D) Red, black, and white

5) What did Incas mainly use art for?

A) Emotions
B) Forced to make it
C) For both burials and decoration
D) None of the above
Fun facts

Lamas were sacrifices as well as children

Stone were cut so precisely that no piece of grass could fit between them
Incas used roads to travel to other cities
They didnt use iron for weapons but wood was used as a weapon.
The Incas had many gods and mad lots of pottery for them.
The Incas had a king, or emperor/ruler
Inca means people of the sun
Incas spoke quechua
Incas lived in peru

Incas did not have a written lanuage

Glossary
Aryballus A pot used by Incas for storing water, food, etc.
Idols Statues for worship of gods.
Inti The Inca sun God.
Textile Cloths or weavings

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