Uncu (Men's shirt)

Textiles held a special significance in the Inca Empire. The lower back section of this men’s tunic, or uncu, has not completely survived. The side seams, otherwise closed, are therefore separated. The tunic is woven from the very fine wool of the vicuña, a wild relative of the alpaca. The stepped pattern running around the neck opening features stylized pairs of butterflies. Such valuable tunics were awarded to high-ranking men as a mark of distinction. They were also used as gifts to serve the formation and expansion of political alliances. The tunic’s rectangular adornments at the belly level are presumably part of the tocapu symbol system of the Inca. It is believed that these patterns conveyed information about the social status and ancestry of the wearer. Their use was subject to strict regulations.