Craftsmen

In the time of the Incas the craftsmen were well-respected. Some of the special craftsmen would make objects of beauty such as the gold and silversmiths. They made nothing but religious objects and wonderful things for the Sapa Emperor. Click on the graphic on the right to see more examples of Inca gold and silverwork.
The potter's wheel was not available during Inca times so all pottery was made by hand. All the clay items were fired in a furnace and then painted. The paint was in the colors of red, purple, cream and black. Other craftsmen would build the royal palace and the sun temples. The woodcarvers made special cups. Click on the graphic on the right to see more examples of Inca pottery.

The Herders

Animals such as the llama were a very important part of Inca life. Alpacas were herded in mountain pastures and their wool was mostly used for clothing. The wild vicuna was only hunted when the ruler allowed. The fine and silky wool of the vicuna was only used for the royal emperor. Llamas were sometimes killed for their meat but were mostly bred for use in the fields or as a pack animal. Some herds of llama were also used for sacrifices at festivities. Click on the graphic on the right to see a photograph of llama as they are still being used today.

Herding was a job for boys. They would drive off the foxes or any animals, which could, do harm. A good deal of time was spent collecting llama dung which was used for fuel. In the mountains the men and boys would sleep in small tents and would wear thick cloth to protect them from the wind.