We know from historical writing and the archaeological record that the Incas did not possess a written language, although, they must have used some symbols and perhaps diagrams. The Quipu (a collection of colored strings and knots) was extensively used for accounting and record keeping. But Quipus need highly trained interpreters to read them, and the Spanish were unable to locate or interrogate even one of these specialists.

Before the Incas, in the country we know as Peru today, there had developed a wide range of local states that had a high level of culture, administrative and artistic development (Chavin, Paracas, Nazca, Mochica etc) including the Wari culture which expanded from the 7th to 10th century almost over all Peruvian territory.

There are a number of interesting "origin myths" about where the Incas came from, but most likely they were a tribe that came from the Lake Titicaca area. This tribe, the were the Quechua people (and the name which is used to label the native language) and the head of the tribe was called the Inca. These days the name Inca refers to all pre Colombian societies in Peru, particularly to the conquering Quechua tribe. After some centuries, this group consolidated their power after defeating neighbouring tribes, and around 1438 the Inca state really came into power under the Inca Pachacutec....

... continued inca history in detail

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.