: The economic foundations of the empire, including agriculture techniques (like terrace farming), road networks, and the system of reciprocity known as "mit'a."

Most early historians focused almost entirely on the Andes mountains. Because of her deep archival research along Peru's shoreline, Rostworowski brought the vital role of coastal societies—like the Chimú and Chincha—into the spotlight. She proved that these groups heavily influenced Inca seafaring trade, administrative logic, and economic structures.

: She detailed the complex organization of the Inca Empire, including its capital, Cusco, and the system of governance that allowed for the efficient management of resources and labor across vast territories.

Reimagining the Inca Empire: The Lasting Legacy of María Rostworowski’s Historia del Tahuantinsuyo