1. Ayllu Lands:
- Each ayllu held title to a certain amount of land, which was collectively owned and managed by the community members.
- The ayllu lands were divided into three main categories:
- Sapa Inca Lands: A portion of the land was reserved for the Inca emperor and the central government.
- Hatun Runa Lands: These lands were allocated to the common people and families within the ayllu.
- Panaca Lands: Lands set aside for the support of the royal lineage and religious institutions.
2. Land Distribution and Usage:
- Land distribution within the ayllu was based on household needs and the number of family members.
- Households were assigned plots of land for farming, known as "tupu." The size of a tupu varied depending on the quality of the soil and the household's size.
- The Incas also employed communal labor systems, known as "mita" and "minga," to cultivate state-owned lands and carry out public works projects.
3. Terracing and Irrigation:
- The Incas were renowned for their advanced agricultural techniques, including terracing and irrigation systems.
- Terraces helped to conserve water and prevent erosion, while irrigation channels diverted water from rivers and streams to agricultural fields.
- These techniques allowed the Incas to cultivate a wide variety of crops, including maize, potatoes, quinoa, and beans, in diverse environments.
4. State Control and Redistribution:
- The Inca state played a significant role in land management and redistribution.
- Surplus production from ayllu lands and state-owned lands was stored in granaries and redistributed during times of scarcity or to support communities affected by natural disasters.
5. Land and Social Status:
- Land ownership and access to resources were closely tied to social status in Inca society.
- The nobility, including the Inca emperor and his relatives, held substantial landholdings and enjoyed significant privileges.
- Common people and ayllu members had access to land for subsistence farming and participated in communal labor activities.
6. Legacy and Transformations:
- The Inca land tenure system had a lasting impact on Andean societies and influenced land management practices in the region for centuries after the fall of the empire.
- However, the Spanish colonization and subsequent changes in land policies brought significant transformations, leading to the disintegration of ayllu communities and the privatization of land.