Inca Ruin Site near Azogues

Ingapirca is an Inca temple site that was built between 1400 and 1500 AD.  The Incas only ruled for 150 years (until the Spanish Conquistadores arrived in 1532).   But during their short reign, they controlled a huge region extending from what is now Colombia in the north to Argentina in the south.  Their capital cities were in Cuzco, Peru, and Cuenca, Ecuador.  The Incas enforced the use of a single language, Quechua, in a region that previously was comprised of hundreds of different language and cultural groups.  As you might guess, in order to accomplish this, the Incas had a very well-organized military.  But they also had a successful agricultural system including irrigation, beautiful art with gorgeous textiles and ceramics, and an extensive  road system allowing rapid travel, albiet by foot.  Perhaps most noteworthy, however, was their sophisticated and compelling religious system, centered around the Sun God or Inti and local mountain spirits.  The Inca ruler was considered the son of Inti.

Inca architecture is well-known for its stunning building sites (location/location/location).  The trapezoidal structures were extremely sturdy and the most important structures were built with carved boulders that fit together so tightly that there was no need for mortar.