The Qhapaq Ñan: Inca Royal Road System
The Qhapaq Ñan (Royal Road) is arguably the greatest engineering achievement of the pre-Columbian Americas. Constructed primarily under Pachacuti and his successors, the system eventually comprised over 40,000 kilometers of roads — more than the Roman road network — crossing coastal deserts, high-altitude Andean passes, tropical rainforests, and river valleys. In 2014, UNESCO designated the Qhapaq Ñan a World Heritage Site spanning six modern nations. Suspension bridges woven from ichu grass fibers spanned gorges — the Huaca Chaca bridge over the Apurímac river had a main span of roughly 45 meters and was rebuilt annually by local communities as their mit'a obligation. At regular intervals stood tambos — way stations providing lodging and food stores. The chasqui relay runner system allowed messages to travel from Cusco to Quito — 2,000 kilometers — in as little as five days.
- Year: 1438 CE
- Category: Cultural
