Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

Chile before Chile


Textiles for clothing

Pre-Hispanic textiles conveyed political, social and religious details such as the identity of those who wore them. Changes in textiles therefore reflect transformations occurring in these ancient societies. Around 3000 years ago, the introduction of camelid wool and the invention of the loom laid the foundation for textile art. These, coupled with new dying methods, opened the door to a variety of techniques and designs still used by many present-day Far North indigenous communities.