Engineering with the Elements
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 137, Issue 10
Abstract
The engineers of the Inka Empire had a unique consciousness of nature—the elements that strike brute mischief on man’s structures—because the foundation of their engineering knowledge was agriculture. These engineers, with a tradition of observing nature, succeeded in building their Andean road network because they learned to work with nature instead of trying to control it by domination. Close examination and reverse engineering of the past accomplishments of these ancient engineers can lead to thoughtful solutions to current engineering challenges, particularly the effort to construct sustainable infrastructure.
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Acknowledgments
The research team extends its sincere appreciation to the National Science Foundation for funding the Learning from the Ancient Engineers of the Great Inka Road project. The Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of the American Indian is also in our debt for bringing together its experts and hosting project planning meetings, and for providing satellite time while the team was in the field. The Universidad de Piura purchased and provided the team with a satellite dish and generator, which were critical to our work in the remote areas of the Andes.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 137 • Issue 10 • October 2011
Pages: 755 - 761
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 2, 2010
Accepted: Sep 20, 2010
Published online: Sep 23, 2010
Published in print: Oct 1, 2011
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