Describe how the Inca adapted to their environment. The Inca lived in the Andes Mountains, which stretch down the west coast of South America. Flat areas for people to farm were very hard to find. Instead, the Inca dug terraces on mountain sides to grow crops.

Options:

A. They engineered farming techniques on the sides of mountains, utilizing stones for heat and preventing erosion.

B. They discovered medicinal treatments using the heat from stones and water from mountains.

C. They created new temples and buildings deep within Machu Picchu.

D. They constructed astronomical observatories on top of the Andes Mountains.

The Inca adapted to the Andes Mountains environment by developing terraced farming techniques, creating micro-climates for diverse crops, and managing water through sophisticated irrigation. They used stones for drainage and heat retention, which was central to sustaining their large population. Their architectural achievements, including road systems, facilitated trade and communication across difficult terrains.

Explanation:

Adaptation of the Inca in the Andes Mountains

The Inca civilization, located in the Andes Mountains, adapted to their environment in several profound ways. The region's steep topography made traditional farming challenging. However, the Inca innovatively developed terracing techniques to transform the rugged mountainsides into arable land. They constructed terraced hillsides, creating flat areas—or terraces—on the slopes, which allowed them to grow staples such as maize (corn), potatoes, and quinoa. These terraces were supported by retaining walls filled with loose stones, improving drainage and minimizing soil erosion, while also creating micro-climates suitable for diverse crops. The loose stones within the terraces may have also been used to absorb heat during the day and release it at night, protecting the plants from frost and stabilizing temperatures.

Furthermore, the Inca engaged in sophisticated water management. They built extensive irrigation systems to provide water to their terraced farms and utilized guano as fertilizer to enhance agricultural productivity. This agricultural innovation was essential for supporting a large population, estimated at around 12 million inhabitants, and formed the basis for the Inca Empire's economy. The terraced farming and water management were among the many adaptations that enabled the Inca to thrive in the diverse ecosystem of the Andes Mountains.

Beyond agriculture, the Inca also constructed monumental architecture and road systems, which facilitated trade and communication across various ecological zones, from high mountain peaks to coastal regions. Their remarkable adaptability to the environment is evident in the enduring structures and terraced farms, many of which are still visible and even in use today.