Tassel

This tassel was excavated by antiquarians Reiss and Stuebel during the 1880s at the Ancon necropolis, on the Peruvian coast. It had probably been attached to a mummy bundle - a corpse wrapped in textiles - as an amulet. Shell dust was used in rituals.

This tassel is made of woven or crocheted woollen thread, possibly over a wool stuffing, and it is attached to a limpet shell by a cord.

The Ancon necropolis contained hundreds of 'mummy bundles' - people buried crouched, and wrapped in textiles, with a false head attached, and accompanied by possessions and charms, in underground chambers. They span several centuries to around 1500.

Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID:	000-190-004-297-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1902.526 A
Date:	14th - 16th century Between the 14th and 16th century
Material:	Woven coloured wool with limpet-shell
Dimensions:	6.00" L
What:
Subject:	Clothing and textiles
Who:
Where:	South America, Ancient Peru, Ancon
Event:
Description:	Tassel of woven coloured wool with perforated limpet-shell: Ancient Peru, Ancon, 14th - 16th century
References:	W Reiss and A Stuebel. The Necropolis of Ancon in Peru. Berlin: Asher 1880-1887.
Translations:
Related Records:

< 1 of 1 > Back