Text 8 — The following text is for questions 36 to 39.
The Incas used to be a large empire of 990 000 km² in Peru of South America. Their city was high up in the Andes Mountains. They were well-known for their great wealth, especially gold. This great empire was unfortunately destroyed in an attack by the Spaniards who were searching for their famed gold. Although this empire existed way back in 1493, it was not backward but complex and well-organized.
The empire was ruled by the Sapa Inca, Lord of the World, Son of the Sun. He owned everything in the empire – the land, soil, gold and even the people. The people, therefore, had no freedom.
Boys and girls were to live a life of obedience and tradition. They began working in their ayllu or family groups. The rule was Ama sua, ama llulla, ama sheklla, which means, "Do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy."
Despite this difficult way of life, the Incas were very skilful. They constructed drainage system and underground water reservoirs. Their buildings were made from huge stones. These were cut to fit perfectly together so that no mortar was needed. Their rope bridges were so strong that even a horse could gallop across them!
The Incas had no written language. Information was recorded on knotted strings called quipus. These were also used as calculators. Strong and healthy young boys were chosen as chasquis or couriers to carry messages from one place to another.