Inca rope bridge
The annually reconstructed Queshuachaca ("rope bridge") in the Quehue District is the last of its kind. | |
| Ancestor | Rope bridge |
|---|---|
| Related | None |
| Descendant | Simple suspension bridge |
| Carries | Pedestrians, livestock |
| Span range | Short |
| Material | Grass or other fiber rope, appropriate decking material |
| Movable | No |
| Design effort | Advanced for its time |
| Falsework required | No |
Inca rope bridges are simple suspension bridges over canyons, gorges and rivers (pongos) constructed by the Inca Empire. The bridges were an integral part of the Inca road system and exemplify Inca innovation in engineering. Bridges of this type were useful since the Inca people did not use wheeled transport – traffic was limited to pedestrians and livestock – and they were frequently used by chasqui runners delivering messages throughout the Inca Empire.