Bella P.

Essay #21 – “City of Cusco” and “City of Machu Picchu”

These two cities, both being established in times in close proximity to one

another, not only have the concept of society, but they have both have a different

individuality that makes there city special. The environment, the people, and the

qualities that make up each society are what define both the “City of Cusco” and

“City of Machu Picchu”.

The city of Cusco is very intriguing when looking at its formal qualities

and characteristics. This city consists of red roofs on top of buildings that are very

close together. Surrounding this city is the very fertile land, several rivers, and its

technical stone constructions that give it s strong sense of nature. These stones are

better known as Sacsayhuamán. Living in the 15th century in the realm of the Inca

Empire sprouted this city for the needs of the saint of Cusco. The society as a whole

did not have a modern sense of architecture, lacking in a money system, forced the

city to turn to the exchange of labor and goods instead. This preserved city flourishes

with converging cultures, domestic life, and ultimately a sense of culture that is able

to tie it into such a special place for the people at this time. This city is the capital of

Tawantinsuyu, which in the native tongue of this society, means, the “Land of the

Four Quarters.” This city is divided into four quarters in that in turn represent the four

divisions of the empire. Each person in each division has a specific quality to them

that places them in the division for a reason, and the two main ones are known as the

hanan (upper) and hurin (lower). The people who lived in this city were Inca rulers

and nobles that played a significant role in society. The men and women also had
very different roles in this city women were those who made clothing for the deities

and nobles, while men were to teach education. One of the most significant and most

sacred forms of belief found in this society is the shrine of the Inca, which was

dedicated to the god of Inti. This city almost has an unfinished tone to it as well and

some believe that it is simply because of the idea of colonization. The puma is a very

prevalent symbol of strength that surrounds the entirety of the city within the cities

shape. The city and its buildings were laid out in very close proximity, yet the nobles

e opposite considering that the nobles were

people of higher power and authority. Discussing the more spiritual aspect of the city

of Cusco, the Gods and Mummies were used to control the followers; this always left

a form of spirituality amongst the city as a whole.

The second city of discussion that stands to be very significant, better

known as the “City of Machu Picchu” also brings a very historic feel to today’s

modern knowledge of what life was like in the 1400s. First, this city is found in the

Andes Mountains, in Peru. It was originally used as a palace for Inca emperors in the

15th century overlooking the Urubamba River. Like the City of Cusco, this city also

has very fertile land. Yanacona people lived in this society, most specifically, these

people were known as people who commanded and leaded others to work for the

Incan empire. This extraordinary city Ruins of an Inca city being located in the Inca

capital in relation to the city of Cusco, is composed of many housed and terraces

constructed by the people who were, back then, specialized in the carving stones.

Terraces essentially were steps built into the side of the mountain that began as a very

sluggish process, beginning with erosion, but later on being a prime source of land for
agriculture. The many walls are related to many themes in this time period portraying

significant mosaics. Wood was used for the roofing, and the observatory inside of

these houses was made of stone. This city stands to act as a definite representation for

the society that existed during this 15th century, more specifically, the individual

society that existed in the Andes. The main emperor was very spiritually engaged and

was the main pathway for his people spiritually speaking. He preformed rituals and he

himself represents a number of religious artifacts that we know of today. Some

significant parts of this society that was created is one, known as the, Intihuatana.

This was a carved boulder that used sunlight and shadows to tell the time. This was

most especially used for astronomy aspects of life in this society, and for people

interested in learning more about what the sky has to offer. This city, like the city of

Cusco, consists of many characteristics that help make it individualized and special to

the people who got to experience life there in the 15th century.