By examining the stunning stone buildings and dynamic spaces of the royal estate of Chinchero, Nair brings to light the rich complexity of Inca architecture. This investigation ranges from the paradigms of Inca scholarship and a summary of Inca cultural practices to the key events of Topa Inca's reign and the many individual elements of Chinchero's extraordinary built environment. What emerges are the subtle, often sophisticated ways in which the Inca manipulated space and architecture in order to impose their authority, identity, and agenda. The remains of grand buildings, as well as a series of deft architectural gestures in the landscape, reveal the unique places that were created within the royal estate and how one space deeply informed the other. These dynamic settings created private places for an aging ruler to spend time with a preferred wife and son, while also providing impressive spaces for imperial theatrics that reiterated the power of Topa Inca, the choice of his preferred heir, and the ruler's close relationship with sacred forces. This careful study of architectural details also exposes several false paradigms that have profoundly misguided how we understand Inca architecture, including the belief that it ended with the arrival of Spaniards in the Andes. Instead, Nair reveals how, amidst the entanglement and violence of the European encounter, an indigenous town emerged that was rooted in Inca ways of understanding space, place, and architecture and that paid homage to a landscape that defined home for Topa Inca.

A comprehensive history of the Incas that discusses the establishment and decline of the empire, society, daily life, art, science, and culture, and includes a time line, a glossary, a bibliography, and a list of further resources.

The incredible Incas may have built South America's greatest civilisation, but they could be very icky indeed! The poor prisoners they pulled up their huge pyramids were likely to experience a very painful death. But things weren't much better for your average Inca. Find out... * How a bucket of stewed pee could make you beautiful * Why servants ate the emperor's hair * What happened in their legendary golden temples * What chilling fate awaited their child sacrifices The Incan Empire ruled 12 million people, but was conquered by 260 Spanish invaders - and a few germs. In fact, it was the llamas who really had it lucky... they got to wear earrings and drink beer! So would you rather be a lucky llama... or an incredible Inca? Erk!

Explains the various elements of the Incas, including their history, daily life, religion, cooking and eating, trading and transportation, and more.

Explains the history and daily lives of the people of Peru, including school, work, family activities, and everyday life both in the city and the country.

What was it like to live in the city of Rome in 700 B.C.' Where was the Silk Road, China's trading route with the Western world? Why did the Native American tribes in North America lose their land at the end of the 1800s? Who fought the war on terror? These questions and many more are answered in this authoritative, up-to-the-minute reference guide. The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia is full of information about the people, places, and events that have shaped our history. The book is organized both chronologically and then thematically within each time period in order to allow young readers quick and easy access to specific information, while giving them a firm idea of where they are in relation to historical time and how the past relates to life in the modern world. Lavish illustrations, contemporary photographs, and detailed maps accompany the clear, fact-filled text. Book jacket.