Fragment (Band) Possibly 700 - 900

This fragment of woven cloth was created by the Nazca people of ancient Peru. Textiles played a crucial role in Andean societies. Their production and use were steeped in social, political, and religious significance. The geometric designs and stylized animal figures woven into the fabric weren't just decorative; they were potent symbols that communicated complex ideas about cosmology, social hierarchy, and ritual practices. Archaeological evidence suggests that textiles were used in ceremonies, as offerings to deities, and as markers of status and identity. Scholars study these fragments alongside archaeological reports, ethnographies, and colonial-era accounts to reconstruct the worldviews and social structures of the Nazca. The study of cloth, often overlooked in traditional art history, is now central to our understanding of the art, culture, and institutions of the ancient Andes.