[INCA EMPIRE - ARCHITECTURE]

The Incan Empire

Brief Description:
The Main Plaza:
The Main Plaza is located at the centre of Machu Picchu and is where all sacred
rituals and celebrations are held. The Main Plaza is designed similar to the flight of
stairs. The stairs signify the strict, yet well-structured social classes within the
citizens of the city as each class would only be allowed to sit at their appropriate
location.

The Torreon:
The Torreon is also known as the Temple of the Sun and it is a tower like structure
positioned at the highest altitude. It had been known as the most important building
in the city, being used for astrology, sacred rituals, and religious sacrifices.

The Pyramid of Intiwuatana:

The Pyramid of Intiwuatana is a Three-sided pyramid located at one of the edges of
Mach Picchu. The architecture of the building is greatly similar to the Egyptians, who
ironically existed during the same time period as it has two entrances to the
building requiring one to climb the steps to the top and enter through a door buried
within the rocks. The Pyramid of Intiwuatana held one of the most significant Incan
devices used for analyzing the seasonal periods, equinox, and time.

usta Palace:
Also known as the Palace of the Princess, the usta Palace has a similar
architectural design to that of the Torreon; a 3-Sided Pyramid, and was thought to
have housed the priestess who had a very high social status.

The Mortuary Rock:

Shounak Datta
AVI101

[INCA EMPIRE - ARCHITECTURE]

The Mortuary Rock was a carved surface located in the agricultural sector of the city
that served as bedding for funeral rituals, religious offerings, and also for the
process mummification, a nearly identical process to that of Egyptians.

Analysis - The Liturgical Fountains:

Description:
The Liturgical Fountains are a set of fountains embedded within the body of Machu
Picchu. They are basically the primary infrastructure that once supported the daily
needs of the citizens of Machu Picchu with the most significant natural resource;
water. These fountains obtained water from springs buried deep within the
mountain and distributed the collected water into several channels throughout the
city. The composition of the Liturgical Fountains is the same to what makes the
entire city; carved stone. The general purpose of these fountains were of course for
the basic necessities such as drinking and bathing, but above such understanding,
the Incan Empire had also incorporated religious purposes in the building of these
fountains, the fact that these sources of water allowed citizens an opportunity to
worship the God of Water Pariacaca.
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Shounak Datta
AVI101

[INCA EMPIRE - ARCHITECTURE]

Analysis:
The focal point of this piece of architecture would definitely be the design of this
infrastructure that allows water to be brought into the city. By creatively
constructing channels beneath the rock platforms the form the city, the water is
collected from the spring within the mountains of Machu Picchu and directed to the
locations accordingly. Movement is used in the design of these fountains with the
use of different, scattered polygonal shaped rocks, also showing the element of
design known as Shape. However, despite the unnatural movement, the whole
architecture is unified with the sense that each unique rock fits ideally into its
position creating one whole structure altogether. One can also classify this design as
an irregular pattern as though it may be very unorthodox, as a whole, it signifies a
specific meaning. In this architectural piece, the element of texture is used rather
practically, with the use of carved rocks, and the bland colour of the rocks is a
significant contrast to the sparkling, clear water flowing out.

Interpretation:
This piece of artwork gives me a sense of magnificence, a majestic feeling of
perfection greatly similar to what one would get when looking at the Stonehenge in
the United Kingdom. The first question that anyone would encounter would be How
did anyone manage to build such a structure with such primitive materials? The
sense of disbelief only grew once I analyzed the perfection of the structure and the
scale it had been built based on. This piece is only a symbol of the progress the
Incan Civilization had made as it added the meaning of religion to the most basic
necessities of life. The disorganized design of the fountain initially built confusion
and dislike within me but as my gaze moved on to the flowing water and the water
channel buried within, I encountered great admiration for the design, for it being so
simple yet so effective.

Evaluation:
This architectural piece is particularly admirable due to its simplicity, yet
effectiveness. The basic idea of an aqueduct to supply water to an entire city is
amazing enough, but to engineer it to perfection as well is something to be looked
very highly upon. The design of these fountains are very successful in
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Shounak Datta
AVI101

[INCA EMPIRE - ARCHITECTURE]

communicating the technological progress made by the Incans as it combines what
is absolutely necessary for life with the civilizations beliefs in an honest, yet
confident manner in suggesting the prosperity of the Incan Empire.

Rationale:
For our Final Art Project, my class and I were given the assignment of researching a
specific civilization and time period and analyzing their particular works of art. Our
class was instructed to form groups of three to research on the time period,
however each of the three group members were required to study one of the three
mediums; Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. Though we were working to study
the same time period, due to the assignment being an Independent Study Unit
(ISU), we all were specifically responsible for our own medium. Every member of our
group had been required to choose six specific pieces of art according to their
medium and present a brief description of every piece, except for one. For the
excepted piece of art, we were required to perform a thorough analysis meeting all
of the requirements given to us.

Reflection:
The process of my Art ISU had been quite hectic as any other final project. With a
limited amount of time and a large quantity of material to cover, I had to put in a
great deal of effort and time to complete my project to meet my personal
expectations. Of the several parts of the assignment, there were quite a few things
that I believe to have exceeded expectations. Firstly, my group and I have added
what our teacher had already classified as a bonus mark; an introduction to our
time period. Secondly, for my presentation, instead of describing each work in detail
in paragraphs, something most students would do, I presented only the most
important facts in bullet points for the easier analysis of the audience. Lastly, for my
presentation of my slideshow, I used a creative design that perfectly synchronizes
with my topic on Ancient Civilizations for greater interactivity with my audience. In
contrast, something I would like to have improved on given more time would have
been my analysis. As the methods of analysis that we studied in class focused
rather specifically on paintings or drawings, the critiquing had been rather unrelated
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Shounak Datta
AVI101

[INCA EMPIRE - ARCHITECTURE]

to my art medium. Thus, if given more time, I would have taken the opportunity to
study analysis of architecture to improve that of my own.

Shounak Datta
AVI101