numerous bridges. There were
likewise ruins of edifices apparently unfinished, and traditions of an
ascendent race which had passed away before the development of the
Incas of Pizarro's time. In the massive architecture of their
buildings there was an attempt to use sculpture on an elaborate scale.
They showed some skill in the arts and industries, such as ornamental
work in gold, copper, and tin, and the construction of pottery on a
large scale. They had learned to weave and spin, and their clothing
showed some advancement in artistic design.

In agriculture they raised corn and other grains, and developed a state
of pastoral life, although the llama was the only domesticated animal
of service. Great aqueducts were built and fertilizers were used to
increase the productive value of the soil. The dry climate of this
territory necessitated the use of water by irrigation, and the limited
amount of tillable soil had forced them to use fertilizers to get the
largest possible return per acre.

The Peruvians, or Incas, were called the children of the sun. They had
a sacred feeling for the heavenly bodies, and worshipped the sun as the
creator and ruler of the universe. They had made some progress in
astronomy, by a characterization of the sun and moon and chief planets,
mostly for a religious purpose. However, they had used a calendar to
represent the months, the year, and the changing seasons. Here, as
elsewhere in primitive civilization, religion becomes an important
factor in social control. The priest comes in as the interpreter and
controller of mysteries, and hence an important member of the
community. Religious sacrifices among the Peruvians were commonly of
an immaculate nature, being mostly of fruits and flowers. This
relieved them of the terrors of human sacrifices so prevalent in early
beginnings of civilization where religion became the dominant factor of
life. Hence their religious life was more moderate than that of many
nations where religious control was more powerful. Yet in governmental
{189} affairs and in social life, here as in other places, religion was
made the means of enslaving the masses of the people.

The government of the Incas was despotic. It was developed through the
old family and tribal life to a status of hereditary aristocracy.
Individuals of the oldest families became permanent in government, and
these were aided and supported by the priestly order. Caste prevailed
to a