GENERAL PLANNING

A complete system of different services was found over the vast Inkan road network. It was planned in order to allow integration, safety, supplies and relaxation. A part of this system were the Chaski, something like a post crew formed by athletic young relay runners prepared to cover quickly the distance between two Chaskiwasi (chaski's house) that had an average of 2.5 Kms. (1.55 miles). Their aim was to carry messages that could be oral or goods with ideo-graphic meanings such as the Qhipu (Inkan accounting system consisting in multicolored knotted strings), textiles with Tokapus (different symbols framed by squares), some other elements engraved or painted, etc. Moreover, the Chaskis had to carry some other important objects for the Inka and certain noblemen: it is traditionally known that the Inka in Qosqo used to eat fresh fish brought from the coast through this system. This service was uninterrupted all day long, besides being sufficiently quick. These young runners transmitting or passing messages could go over from 15 to 20 kms/hour (from 9.5 to 12.5 miles/h), thence from 360 to 480 Kms. per day (from 224 to 298 miles per day).

Another element found on the roads involving services were the Tanpu or Tambo in its Spanish form. They were important villages, economic axles having huge lodges with capacity to serve opportune and efficiently even dozens of thousands of people, with enormous storehouses containing, food, clothing, weapons and tools. They had an economic and social rule, and public officials under direct control of Qosqo. They possessed all the facilities that were found in the cities too, such as communication posts, temples, astral observatories, etc., and occupied strategic spots in order to offer timely comfort for the traveling masses. They were normally located between distances of one walking day, that is, between 40 to 50 kms. (25 to 31 miles). It is obvious that there were different Tambo categories; the less important ones offering only lodge were found every half walking day, between 20 to 25 kms. (12.5 to 15.5 miles). Departing from Qosqo through the 7 most important roads (after a half walking day) following the sense of the clock hands were (clockwise and beginning on the north) P'isaq, Quispikanchi or Pikillaqta, Yaurisque, Wanoquite, Jakijawana or Zurite, Chinchero and Calca; after one walking day following the same direction were more important Tambos such as Paucartambo, Urkostambo, Pakariqtambo, Tambobamba, Limatambo, Ollantaytambo and Amparaes.

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