- Myth: The Inca Empire had a written language.
- Busted. The Inca did not have a written language in the traditional sense (alphabetic or syllabic script). Instead, they used a complex system of knotted strings called *quipu* (or *khipu*) to record numerical data, census information, and possibly other types of records. While some scholars debate whether *quipu* could encode narrative or linguistic information, there is no evidence of a fully developed writing system like those of contemporary Mesoamerican civilizations.
- Myth: The Inca built Machu Picchu as a military fortress.
- Busted. Machu Picchu was not primarily a military fortress. It was likely a royal estate or religious retreat for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. Its location high in the Andes, with terraced agriculture, temples, and residential areas, suggests it served ceremonial, administrative, and agricultural purposes rather than defensive ones. While it has some defensive features, its primary function was not military.
- Myth: The Inca practiced human sacrifice on a large scale similar to the Aztecs.
- Busted. While the Inca did practice human sacrifice, particularly during important ceremonies such as the Capacocha ritual, it was not done on the massive scale seen in Aztec culture. Sacrifices were typically reserved for significant events—like the death of an emperor, natural disasters, or major festivals—and often involved children who were considered pure. The scale and frequency were much lower than in Mesoamerica.
- Myth: The Inca Empire collapsed immediately after the arrival of the Spanish.
- Busted. The Inca Empire did not collapse immediately. After the capture of Emperor Atahualpa in 1532, the empire entered a period of civil war and resistance. His brother Manco Inca Yupanqui initially cooperated with the Spanish but later led a major rebellion. Resistance continued for decades, including the establishment of the Neo-Inca State in Vilcabamba, which held out until 1572. The empire’s decline was gradual and marked by internal divisions as well as Spanish conquest.
- Myth: All Inca people spoke Quechua as their native language.
- Partially Busted. While Quechua became the official language of administration and communication across the empire, the Inca Empire was ethnically and linguistically diverse. Many subject peoples retained their own languages. The Inca promoted Quechua as a lingua franca, especially among elites and officials, but it was not universally the native tongue of all inhabitants. Local languages persisted throughout the empire’s vast territory.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of mythbusters worksheet.
