The contributions of the Incas to humanity they are currently known thanks to archeology and modern anthropological study. The fields of medicine and agriculture have been widely influenced by the legacy of this culture.
For example, the Incas knew very well the effect of certain plants on the human body, used alternative methods for growing food, and even performed brain surgeries to successfully treat aneurysms of up to 90%.
You may also be interested in contributions of the Zapotecs or of the mexicas .
Bandages and coca
There is archaeological evidence that shows that the Incas used bandages to protect and heal wounds.
Even without knowledge about infections, they had empirical knowledge about the importance of protecting wounds to facilitate healing.
They used the coca plant to boost the immune system, and improve blood flow and oxygen absorption.
This can be the cause of the capacity of this town to live in heights that oscillate between 2000 and 6000 meters above sea level.
Cure against malaria
Cinchona or cinchona is a plant with antipyretic, analgesic and antimalarial properties.
The Kallawaya (healers and Inca medical experts) used the machine to fight fevers, infections, general pain and even malaria.
Inca brain surgery
So or more surprising are the brain surgeries performed by the Incas, similar to the current craniotomies.
These surgeons managed to pierce the skull of their patients to treat aneurysms and war injuries, giving a survival rate of up to 90% after the procedure.
It is believed that the use of bandages and the great knowledge in medicinal plants helped patients to survive such interventions.
Agricultural techniques
The Incas were very good farmers, maintaining vegetable crops that are still part of the cuisine of Peru and Bolivia. Some of these are corn, peppers, potatoes and peanuts.
Performing these crops in mountainous areas is not common in other parts of the world, but the Incas succeeded in combining several techniques that are now used for eco-sustainable crops.
Some of the techniques they used with the following:
Terrace system
To make better use of the land in the hills and mountains, the Incas made a series of terraced terraces. Thus they could have flat spaces for planting and cultivation.
Irrigation systems
Their knowledge in hydraulics allowed them to develop a system of channels to make optimal use of water.
These channels obtained water from streams and distributed it directly to the sowings.
Camellones
They are called like this the mounds of earth built to store water in rainy areas.
In this way they not only protected the active crops, but could drain the water directly to the terraces through the irrigation systems.
References
- The sophisticated brain surgery of the Incas - El Mundo elmundo.es
- Benefits of coca tea - Very fitness muyfitness.com
- Inca Empire - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Inca Agriculture, Sowing in the Mountains - Portal Inca portalinca.com
- Inca agriculture - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org