Necklace of Lapis Lazuli Beads

These beads are made out of a blue semi-precious stone called lapis lazuli. The Peruvians had to travel all the way to Chile to obtain it as this was the nearest source.This necklace was probably made under the Inca emperors. The Inca empire was the largest political unit to appear in ancient south America. At its height it governed a 2000 mile stretch of territory along the Andes and down the Pacific coast from Ecuador in the north, through Peru and down into Chile. This achievement was due largely to administrative efficiency, the development of a comprehensive network of roads and military strength. The capital city was Cuzco in the southern highlands.