Cuzco was the center of Inca life. This was the richest city in the New World. The Inca leader's resided there.
"The Inca" being the main leader and his nobles, who took care of the people. The government was exceptional in
their organization.
The Inca leaders accumulated many riches. which accompanied them, in death, in their tombs. But
it was their great wealth that ultimately undid the Inca, for the Spaniards, upon reaching the New World, learned of the abundance
of gold in Inca society and soon set out to conquer it at all costs. The plundering of Inca riches continues today with the
pillaging of sacred sites and blasting of burial tombs by grave robbers in search of precious Inca gold.
The Incas are famous for their gold. They mined extensive deposits of gold and silver, but this wealth ultimately
brought disaster in the 16th century, when Spanish soldiers came seeking riches for themselves and their king.
Gold, to the Incas, was the 'sweat of the sun' and Silver the 'tears of the moon.'
Money existed in the form of work. Each subject of the empire paid taxes by laboring on the myriad roads,
crop terraces, irrigation canals, temples, or fortresses. In return, rulers paid their laborers in clothing and food. Silver
and gold were abundant, but only used for aesthetics
The Inca leaders accumulated many riches. which accompanied them, in death, in their tombs