Question #2c894
1 Answer
It's a combination of both to be honest...
Explanation:
The Incas had their empire in the Andes Mountains, in the isolated Americas. First, the isolation helped the Incas forge a massive empire, without the fear of invasion (at least, until the 1500s). The high elevation actually changed the anatomy of the Inca people; these people had larger lungs and more muscular bodies, than humans at sea level. This gave them high amounts of metabolism (activeness), which allowed them to create a sophisticated communication and military system. The mountainous environment called for a large mining culture developed, in which silver and gold became key.
But the Incas also did much to change their own surroundings. The Inca steppe farms, carved out of hills an rocks, are perfect examples. The Nazca Lines, although not made by the Incas themselves, are also a good example of how people of the Andes used their surroundings. The Incas also carved pathways out of the mountains to create roads and tunnels, and build houses.
In the end, the Incas had an impact on their environment, and the environment had an impact on them. However, the environmental impact is certainly greater in my opinion.
