8(i 



THE IXCAS 



of this continent in prehistoric times. UnHke the ancient peoples of Mexico 

 jind Central America the Peruvians had no written language. They were 

 tillers of the soil and raised maize, potatoes, oca, quinua, beans, coca and 

 cotton. The Incas domesticated the llama, which was used as a beast of 

 burden. They excelled in th*' manufacture and decoration of pottery vessels, 

 in metalwork, and in textile fabrics. In the case directly in front of the 

 entrance are disj)layed gold and sihcr objects such as beads, 

 cups, pins and ear ornaments which show the high degree 

 of skill attained in the beating, soldering and casting of 

 n weaving they were perhaps preeminent among prehistoric 

 peoples, many of their specimens exhibited here being un- 

 .surpassed at the present day. The materials used were 

 cotton and the wool of the llama, alpaca and vicuna. In the first cases 

 on the right are examples of these textiles with looms and shuttles. 

 [The musical instruments of ancient Peru are discussed in Guide Leaflet 

 No. 11.) 



The alcove cases are geographically arranged, showing exhibits from 



Gold and 

 Silver 



metals. 



Textiles 



PERUVIAN MUMMY BUNDLES AND MUMMY 



'Ilu' aiuiiMil Peruvians wriipp«><l llnMr (load in fabrics of line cotton and wool, ihen (■ovcrinf: with 

 a sack of slronj; cloth. I'hc niuniiny ' bundle" thus proiluced was often given a "false head" of cloth 

 lilled with cotton or v<»f:clablc librc. (-limatic conditions in Peru have preserved these mummies and 

 their wrappings during many centuries 



