Final answer:
Gold was the most valuable material to the Inca because of its association with the sun god Inti, surpassing silver, copper, and emeralds in religious significance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The material considered most valuable by the Inca was gold. This precious metal held significant religious importance as it was seen as the sweat of the sun god Inti. Unlike the European conquerors who coveted gold for wealth, the Inca valued it for its religious connotations. Historical accounts and archaeological evidence suggest that gold was so revered that it adorned the walls of Qorikancha, and even a high ransom of a room filled with gold could not spare the life of the captured Inca leader due to the Spaniards' insatiable greed. Although silver and other metals like copper and emeralds were also present in the Andean region, none matched the sacred status of gold in the Inca society.