Fragment Possibly 1000 - 1476

This fragment was made by the Chancay people of ancient Peru, likely sometime between 1000 and 1500 AD. The textile is a window into a sophisticated society navigating life between the desert and the coast. The Chancay were known for their weaving, and textiles were not just beautiful; they were a language. This fragment is rich with abstract figures of humans and animals, woven into a complex narrative. What stories did this textile tell? The fragment is also evidence of how the Chancay people defied limitations. Living in a challenging environment, they transformed raw materials into vibrant cultural expressions. Their weavings were used in daily life, as well as in elaborate funerary rituals, underscoring the interconnectedness of life and death. The fragment invites us to consider the ingenuity, resilience, and artistry of a culture that thrived centuries ago. It echoes the voices of the Chancay, who wove their world, their beliefs, and their identities into every thread.