To project power, the Inka of the Andes crafted distinctive ceramics like the urpu. The Inka Empire stretched over 3,400 miles with more than 25,000 miles of roads, making it the largest empire in the Americas before the 16th century. Urpus stored and poured liquids like chicha, a corn beer central to feasts that reinforced alliances and authority. Each urpu made the Inka presence visible across the empire.

This video explores what an urpu is and how they reveal the connections between art, ritual, and power in ancient Andean culture. It features an urpu with an insect design.

Note: Inka can be spelled Inca (in Spanish). Inka is the Quechua spelling.

Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank

This video is perfect for anyone interested in:

• The Ancient Andes

• The Inka (Inca)

• Andean Archaeology

• Medieval Art

• Indigenous Artistic Traditions

CHAPTERS

0:00 The Inka Empire

0:45 Urpus

1:40 Decorating urpus

2:19 Their function

Learn more

1. Discover more about the Ancient Andes: https://www.artsq.org/ancient-andes

2. Find out more about the global Middle Ages: https://www.artsq.org/medieval-world

3. Check out our entire glossary of art history: https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history