Tambo (Incan structure)

A Tambo ( Quechua: tampu, " inn" ) was an Inca hostel for travelers, soldiers and caravans.

The tambos were built throughout the Inca trail network at intervals of generally 15 to 25 kilometers, which corresponds to the daily distance that can be traveled with a loaded Lama. In the Atacama Desert, the distance about 42 km, respectively. They usually consisted of a carefully constructed residential building and attached thereto areas for the storage of goods or the housing of animals.

Tambos in different sizes indicate a different meaning of the particular place. The smallest are called messengers houses ( Quechua: chaskiwasi ), most were administrative centers where Inca officials controlled both the traffic and the production, storage and distribution of goods. The tambos in or on settlements were always clearly separated from the living areas of the local population.