All Roads Lead to Cuzco

When we think of roads of ancient empires we think of the Persians or especially Rome. However, the impressive roads of the Inca Empire normally do not come to mind. The Inca Empire was based in the Andes Mountains and covered a distance of 2500 Miles, from modern day Ecuador into Chile. The Incas used their roads to connect their large empire. In all the Inca Empire had 40,000 kilometers of roads.

What makes the Inca roads impressive is the engineering feat to create them. The roads had to be built in all terrains, such as deserts, jungles, and the mountains. Many of the roads had drainage systems that protected them from erosion. In the mountains the Incas used bridges to span great canyons. Some of these suspension bridges were 150 feet long, made out of strong fibers. The Inca roads do not resemble the roads of today or of Rome. They were designed for walking, because the Incas had not wheeled transportation or horses. Many roads, especially in the mountains, were more like stair cases. Local workers built and maintained the roads as service to the emperor.

The road network not only served for transport and travel but also for communication. This communication was carried out by messengers called chasqui, who were stationed every three kilometers. This system resembles the Pony Express created in the United States to connect the east and west. Also, on the roads were settlements each at a days walk apart, to serve as a resting spot for the night.

The Inca roads were a huge engineering feat. They connected the Inca Empire from one end to the other, and were built in challenging terrains and climates. In the mountains the engineers used suspension bridges that were more impressive than any other bridges in the world to date. Many roads still survive today and are even used.



For more information

http://archaeology.about.com/od/iterms/qt/inca_road.htm

http://transportationhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_inca_and_their_roads

http://tech.mit.edu/V127/N24/bridges.html