86 



THE IXCAS 



of i his coin incut in prehistoric times. Unlike the ancient peoples of Mexico 

 and 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 the manufacture and decoration of pottery vessels, 



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

 entrance are displayed gold and silver objects such as beads, 

 cups, pins and ear ornaments which show the high degree 

 of skill attained in the beating, soldering and casting of 

 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. In 



Textiles 



PERUVIAN MUMMY BUNDLES AND MUMMY 



The ancient Peruvians wrapped their dead in fabrics of fine cotton and wool, then covering with 

 a sack of strong cloth. The mummy "bundle" thus produced was often given a "false head" of cloth 

 tilled with cotton or vegetable fibre. Climatic conditions in Peru have preserved these mummies ;md 

 their wrappings during many centuries 



