Step into the fascinating world of the Inka! In this interactive 3-week course you will examine the ancient lifeways of the Inka through ethnohistorical documents and archaeological discoveries from Cusco, Peru. Explore, analyse, and help solve 'Time Team' - style puzzles.
Decoding the Ancient Inka
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to Inka history and culture.
Together, we will explore the challenges of reconstructing Inka history, which has been pieced together using various types of evidence, including ethnohistorical documents and the archaeological record.
Notably, the Inka did not develop a written language. Instead, they recorded vital information using a system of knot and cords, known as qhipu.
During our time together, we will start investigating several key questions or ‘puzzles': Who were the Inka? What was Cusco, the capital of their empire, like?
Cusco has been continually occupied for more than 500 years, and while its history is rich, its archaeology is fragmented. Reconstructing the city’s past is like assembling a vast puzzle with many missing pieces.
To help address this challenge, we will look at other Inka towns, including Machu Picchu, as well as the architectural remains of the Cusco itself.
Additionally, we will examine selected burials to gain insights into various aspects of Inka life, including religion and ritual practices.
Course Structure
Week 1: Reconstructing Inka History
Week 2: Urban archaeology in Cusco. Piecing together pieces of the Inka capital’s history.
Week 3: M’achay and offerings. An introduction to burial and ceremony in the heartland.
The course will be delivered in a lecture-style with practical exercises. Students will be provided with a workbook, which is included in the course fee.
Each class will begin with an overview and presentation of key background information and theories. Then, students will be invited to analyse selected passages and illustrations from ethnohistorical sources, such as Spanish chronicles (translated into English) and maps. These materials will be provided as handouts. Through discussions, students will interpret these sources and develop a deeper understanding of Inka history.
Course Learning Outcomes
By attending this course, students will:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges of reconstructing Inka history.
- Develop critical thinking skills: through analysis of historical sources, such as chronicles, maps, and architectural remains, students will practice interpreting evidence and evaluating different perspectives.
- Learn about Inka religion and ritual: students will gain insight into the practices and role of ritual in Inka society, with specific focus on selected case studies.
- Engage with archaeological methods: students will be introduced to the process of examining sites like Cusco.
Course Requirements
It is recommended that students bring a notebook and pen and pencil for taking notes.
An additional reading list will be provided so that students can continue their learning after the course has concluded.
Your Tutor is Lisa Dunbar
Dr. Lisa Dunbar Solas commenced with the WEA in 2025.
Lisa is a researcher, educator and artist with a deep passion for Andean culture, myth and religion.
Her interdisciplinary research focuses on investigating the relationship between sacred landscapes, ceremonial practices and ancient beliefs.
In 2007, she conducted an architectural survey of the historic zone of Cuzco, the capital of the Incan empire, for her honours dissertation. She later earned a PhD in Archaeology from the Australian National University in 2015, focusing on Incan sacrifice, myth and sacred landscapes.
She has presented her research at international conferences, including the Australia National Gallery's Gold and the Inca exhibition in 2014. She has also taught university-level archaeology, sharing her knowledge of ancient Andean civilisations.
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