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Bridges
Various types of bridges crossed the rivers. In the highlands there were tree trunks when the distances were not great and the ones which became famous for their ingenuity were the ones the Spanish called "braided". These bridges were supported on two great abutments of stone with strong, solid foundations and in between each abutment crossed four or six thick beams which moored the hanging bridge. The thick ropes were woven of thin branches like wicker, braiding three by three into other, thicker ones, the branches getting bigger until they reached a diameter of some fifty centimeters. A reference in 1534 describes one of these bridges as follows: "There are great and powerful rivers over which there are bridges of thick cords and between one and another there are delicate and minute cords; and of these bridges there are two over which the lords pass and two over which pass the common people." The same report adds that at each side of the bridge there were people who lived in the place whose job consisted of taking care of it and mending the worn out cords. Another way to cross a river was with a "hanging basket". Cobo describes it as a thick rope made out of reeds, thick as a leg, which was tied to crags or abutments from one bank to the other. From this rope hung a basket with an arched handle through which the rope passed. In the canasta the person was seated and with a rope tied to the basket they pulled from one end. In the south, on the Desaguadero near Lake Titicaca, there was a famous bridge which consisted of a row of totora rafts arranged side by side with a thick layer of bulrushes added and arranged over the vessels. Vessels The Spanish made famous their narratives about the tambos or inns situated at certain intervals along the routes. It is possible the tambos existed in earlier times for lodging pilgrims on routes which led to pilgrimage sites. Possibly also they were used in the epoch of Wari and Chimu. They were of different categories and dimensions according to their importance. Along the main routes there were chambers for lodging the Inca when he left Cuzco, whether to visit his states or march to war. There were also lesser tambos to lodge administrative personages which were being moved for various reasons. The very small ones were reserved for the messengers or chasqui who carried the news through the extensive territory. In viceregal times Inca tambos were used and there were two lists of these inns from Cuzco, The City of the Kings, and Quito. According to Hyslop, there was difficulty recognizing a tambo on the ground because their architecture varied and it is possible the habits and customs of the local labor force influenced their construction.
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