The Last Incan Bridge | 100 Wonders | Atlas Obscura

One of the great achievements of ancient engineering, the Q'eswachaka or Keshwa Chaka, is the last remaining Incan Rope Bridge. Subscribe here for new videos every Tues & Thurs - bit.ly/1PcJ14b
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Written and hosted by Dylan Thuras (@dylanthuras)
Credits for this episode:
en.wikipedia.o...
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[@joel_molyneux]

I absolutely love how enthusiastic and happy you seem when talking about all this wonderful stuff. Please keep up the great work!

[@atlasobscura]

Thanks +Joel Molyneux! That is really appreciated!

[@atlasobscura]

I made a video back in 2010 where I actually went to the spot and talked with the bridge master. Used that footage in this video as well, but wanted to present this in the 100 Wonders style as I think it's a bit easier for folks to get into!

[@jaredfocose2048]

Thanks for the extra deep dive on this wonder. I watched your previous video on this. I am happy you re-presented the topic in this wonderful format!

[@jaredfocose2048]

Also, I'm really happy to see that you are gaining more subscribers by the day! You deserve it!!! You are very interesting and well educated. I can't wait for the next video.

[@atlasobscura]

+Jared Focose Thanks so much! So excited you guys are enjoying them!

[@nalitosumire5700]

@@atlasobscura me gustaría puedas ponerle subtítulos en español...Un gran abrazo... Saludos desde Arequipa Perú

[@analmf1210]

As a Peruvian and an engineer, I thank your enthusiasm and true appreciation of their ingenuity, the INCA culture is fascinating,

[@michelecarroll3133]

I'm so happy to have come across this! I planning my first trip to Peru and will definitely include this! Thank you!

[@atlasobscura]

+Michele Carroll You should, it is truly amazing, and if you go, try to find Victor the bridge master he is a wonderful guy!

[@michelecarroll3133]

+Atlas Obscura I'll try. did you go on your own or with a tour group? Any recommendations?

[@TeboxYT]

+Michele Carroll dont waster your money on Peru. There is nothing to see there. Better go to Argentina or Chile

[@mistersinnister1]

how is millions of people not watching these shows they r awesome !!!!

[@mistersinnister1]

are*

[@atlasobscura]

+Paul Sin Thanks! Hopefully we will keep growing the audience with folks like you!

[@tishamanda36]

Fuuuuuuuuck that new metal bridge!

[@MeAuntieNora]

Crazy, my professor JUST told us about them yesterday. She's walked across one!

[@atlasobscura]

+Me Auntie Nora It is pretty amazing! I couldn't help but think about the scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom where he cuts the rope bridge. Like... a not small part of me wanted to reenact the scene. I wonder if you came when they were about to cut it down anyway if they would let... hrrmm.....

[@denissebermeovelasquez630]

I am proud to be Peruvian and I will always take wherever I go the teachings and values that our Peruvian ancestors left us. Thank you for such a wonderful video.

[@kekero540]

I love Andean culture it has such an amazing sense of community and solidarity.

[@moz1953]

excellent and pithy - i was blown away when i visited sacsayhuaman fortress and MP - their mastery of stone masonery is breathtaking, subbed, kind regards

[@elizabethmoeller6379]

I teach 5th grade and show this video every year when we learn about the Inca in our Early American Civilizations unit. It is so well done!

[@lilyvalley5389]

Well its free from nature, but their work I guess deserves payment. Yeah it must be renewed. It is an awesome thing. Must be preserved. Amazing feat.

[@Atomic_Psychosis]

This video is perfect for classes.

[@pimpompoom93726]

They rebuild the bridge every year today as a cultural exercise, but how long did these bridges last in Inca times before having to be rebuilt? How many years, typically? Thanks in advance for your answer.

[@_solange]

Peruvian here ✌🏽

[@dbjaquet]

same bro

[@mulierbellator5316]

How do they get the rope from one side of a high cliff to the other side without modern tools? Please explain.

[@blackliontv3]

That's why I

[@tourajtayebi2189]

They use the previous bridge to lay the new main cables across. Then they cut the old one and keep working around the main new cables.

[@renatoromero4333]

I got to ride a bike from Quehue to the Inca bridge and the landscape was amazing!

[@eatthepoor6479]

i love these videos! nice job!

[@etchalaco9971]

"learning the ropes: MIT students build Incan-style bridges at Stata" - mit.edu "Inca Leapt Canyons With Fiber Bridges: MIT Students Plan to Stretch 60-Foot-Long Fiber Bridge Between Campus Buildings By John Noble Wilford THE NEW YORK TIMES MIT students learning from Inca engineers. Gotta Love It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@IntrepidFraidyCat]

OMG! LOL! Great bridges....aaaand there's Jeff! Another reason that I love this channel.

[@SonofTiamat]

I'd still like to know how they make the bridge, other than weaving the rope anyway. How do they get it across?

[@MarkusSchober]

Son of Tiamat Anchor one end on one side of the valley, carry the other down into the valley and then up the other side.

[@texaslonestarrider]

Awesome!

[@acmejia]

I loved this!!

[@recelehberger1603]

thats awesome

[@chesterchanin5545]

Great explanation, inspiring!

[@romeshsrivastava2474]

Didn't you already make a video about this?

[@adolfobriceno1635]

Awesome

[@tommylopez7185]

Absolutely insane 🤯

[@Yaddlezap]

But how do they FIRST span the chasm to connect the bridge?

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

dude, this is cool

[@jazeroo888]

Financial records in fibre.... that’s so intriguing.... mind blowing ...did they hand out receipts in fibre form? To prove you’ve paid?

[@billionthoughts1719]

HEY your videos are nice :D i like your teeth. they make your smile warm :D

[@winolowardichelli2850]

I wonder how they started it

[@anthonyrawls4731]

1:33 "hundreds of these bitches"

[@marigeobrien]

But HOW were they first built? How do they make the span?

[@brogensauer2044]

Marige OBrien they wove twine you idiot

[@AJWRAJWR]

@@brogensauer2044 you've misunderstood the question, idiot.

[@danesgch]

its funny how I am peruvian and just now i'm finding out about this... the goverment sure does a shitty job promoting this kind of things

[@salvadorpatino6248]

Where in Peru is this? I recently went on a month long trip there, and completely missed out on this!

[@atlasobscura]

+Salvador Patino It is about 5 hours by van outside of Cusco. It is kind of a trek and while it does see some tourists, it's not like a major attraction. Mostly people doing big motorcycle treks.

[@micahshort1617]

My mind just got 💥🔥

[@ifedayooladapo8966]

What's happening at 0:34 ?

[@atlasobscura]

+Ifedayo Oladapo Hah, just a joke! An image of Jeff Bridges from the Big Lebowski. As in, he is a great bridges!

[@jenya-was-here]

^ lol xD

[@centipede167]

It must've taken an entire village to make that bridge!

[@lazerman121]

Satellite imagery shows it is no longer there ;(.

[@rk41gator]

"A constant product of renewal" is SO native American in culture and philosophy. Their entire system of government was amazing and unique. One of the only true and successful communist governments, the Inca had the good of the people and community at its heart. Sad that a bunch of bullies with firearms made from a Chinese invention favored gold over art, conquest over culture. And yes, I know it was a monarchy and 'the people' had no choice about the matter. But the system WORKED. How many of modern people truly have a say in how they are governed?

[@aplimsollpunk2738]

It takes a village to raise a bridge...

[@youareanidio1]

I came from online school

[@1.4142]

Weaving must be hard on the hands

[@mrbisse1]

Thanks so much. I just wish that you had not used the word "weaving" because the bridge is mostly "spun" and "braided". But still, thanks.

[@jonn40853]

Nobody cares frankly

[@mrbisse1]

@@jonn40853 Spinners, braiders, and weavers do.

[@SebastianATaylor]

Is it strange that I want a bridge like that suspended in my collection of interesting items

[@alx81]

Damn, I’m. Peruvian and didn’t know about these bridges.

[@qentrepreneurship9987]

It was not easy to built such CHAKAKUNA or bridges. The ancestors had learnt these technologies from previous peoples as The Tiwanakus, Waris, Chimus, etc. They took science and technlogy to an upper level building roads, bridges, water supply cannals, food storages, aclimatization of plants in higher places. As well as progress In astronomy; terraces building, social organisation and information recording systems (quipus and yupana) They ancestors conformed an efficiente society...very humble and simple persons doing extraordinary progresses. Even the SPANISH THIEVES recorded THERE WAS TOO MUCH FOOD in the entire kingdom. Qinachumachu ?

[@merymoore9514]

Que interesante pero en español también por favor

[@Mackem_uk]

so it's like triggers brush?

[@contracostarippers.]

filibuster obstructa

[@Hucklefart_Dinklejartin]

How has nobody mentioned indiana jones and the temple of doom?

[@cnsisow]

Wouldn't it be 250 bridges if a new bridge is made every two years since its been 500 years?

[@cinliss]

its 1-2 years so probably

[@diggocombs4548]

Why do they try to take this type comradery spirit away in America?

[@samuelreed2994]

Just back the camera up three feet, bro

[@busyyogurt5206]

Fascinating, but the narrator talks too much, and is on screen for 90% of the vid. I wanted to hear and see the Bridge Master and the local people.

[@RyanLeConster]

I have to watch this for history.🙄

[@drivesthecar3247]

Very interesting!! But, I would've liked to have seen more of the bridge instead of your face yapping about it. You're very enthusiastic but... Come on!

[@jenya-was-here]

-____________-

[@KilroyNBC]

just show it already...you talks to much