Ancient Civilisations Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail
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Nov 21, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Javier Puente, an associate professor of Latin American studies, sheds light on the rich tapestry of Inca civilization. He reveals the complexities of the khipu system, which encoded vital information through knots, and the strategic use of the Inca Trail to unify diverse communities. The architectural marvel of Machu Picchu is explored, from its astronomical alignments to its role as a royal estate. Puente also discusses the societal impacts of disease and construction, providing a compelling view of this ancient empire's ingenuity and legacy.
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Bingham's Rainy First Glimpse
- Hiram Bingham first glimpsed Machu Picchu in 1911 after a short rainy visit guided by a local boy.
- He dismissed it initially but returned the next year and revealed the site to the wider world.
Roads As An Information Network
- The Inca Trail functioned as an information and logistics network across thousands of miles of Andes.
- Chaski runners and tampu relay points enabled near-real-time communication across the empire.
Kipu As Three‑Dimensional Records
- Kipu (quipu) were knotted-cord records used by specialized Kipu Kamayuq scribes to encode administrative data.
- The cords' colors, knots, and materials created a three-dimensional, tactile information system.