What practice was commonly used by the Inca to preserve their leaders after death?

The Inca civilization practiced mummification as a means of preserving their leaders after death. This practice was deeply rooted in their belief system, where they viewed death not as an end but as a transition to another realm. By preserving the physical body through mummification, the Inca ensured that their leaders could remain connected with the living world, receive offerings, and continue to exert influence over their subjects even after death.

Mummification involved carefully drying the body and often wrapping it in textiles, creating a preserved figure that could be venerated. This was especially prominent for rulers and important figures, who were often kept in a position of reverence within their community or tombs, indicating the high regard in which they were held. The Inca believed that the mummified bodies of their leaders could still interact with the living, offering guidance and influence, which was central to their cultural and religious beliefs about leadership and the afterlife.