Ceremonial Mantle from the Paracas Culture
This ceremonial mantle from Peru is a rare textile found in the burial grounds of Paracas in southern Peru. Because of the dryness of the climate, it was found in a remarkable state of preservation in the 1930¡¯s and is thought to be 2,000 to 3,000 years old.
Paracas mantles were part of the formal attire worn by chiefs, priests, and other prominent members of the Paracas society. Textiles were valued by the Paracas and were worn to indicate status and authority. Even in death people were wrapped in several layers of textile, a single person could be buried in as many as 30 mantles.
Paracas mantles were made from animal camelid wool, probably from llamas or alpacas, and plant fibers. They were made in bright colors such as indigo, green, pink, and white, which were all procured using natural dyes.
The mantle has been sealed in a vacuum for preservation.
The ceremonial mantle was gifted to the 51³Ô¹Ï from Government of Peru on 12 May 1957.