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Textile Fragment. Cotsen Textile Traces Study Collection, T-1826. Courtesy of The George Washington University Museum, Washington, D.C. Photography by Bruce M. White.

Textile Fragment

Artist Unidentified Maker, Huari culture
Year 7th-11th century
Creation Place Peru
Medium Alpaca hair, camelid hair, natural dyes
Dimensions 28 5/16 x 5 31/32 in. (71.9 x 15.2 cm)
Collection Cotsen Textile Traces Study Collection, T-1826
Credit Line Courtesy of The George Washington University Museum, Washington, D.C. Photography by Bruce M. White.

This textile fragment is from the Andes region of modern-day Peru, attributed to the Huari (500–1000 CE). Although this civilizations haa a specific time period, the ancestral knowledge and culture continues to evolve as it is passed on to their descendants.

This pre-Hispanic textile fragments demonstrates indigo’s use for millennia. Far from relics of a bygone era, it reveals a connection to the weaving techniques and dyes still in use today. The textile illustrates how craft traditions are preserved and passed down through generations, enduring even the challenges of colonialism.

The provenance of Andean textiles is sometimes unknown; it is possible that textiles were uncovered during an excavation. Understanding the provenance of artifacts involves tracing their origins, creators, owners, and journeys which is often challenging due to histories of trading, gifting, looting, and theft. While some objects were sold by artisans, others were taken from excavation sites and burial grounds. Museums now research their collections to uncover these histories, work towards repatriation, and collaborate with communities to accurately represent their cultural narratives. These textiles should be seen as part of the ongoing story of a people who have occupied the land for millennia.

Textile Fragment. Cotsen Textile Traces Study Collection, T-1826. Courtesy of The George Washington University Museum, Washington, D.C. Photography by Bruce M. White.