Camelids, it is believed, originated first in 'North America' 40-50 million years ago. They migrated over the Alaskan bridge into 'Asia', ''Europe' and 'Africa', developing into the Bactrian camel (two humps) and the domesticated version, the dromedary (one hump). About 3 million years ago, migration took place into 'South America' over the then new volcanic land bridge. The wild vicuna and guanaco species (no humps) developed and still exist.
Domestication of these species occured on the altiplano, the 50-100mile wide, high level valley (9,000ft, 4,000m) that runs along the centre of the Andes mountain chain. In about 4,000B.C., the llama and alpaca were domesticated from guanaco stock in the Lake Titiaca region in 'Peru' (highest fresh water lake in the world). Herding economies developed from sea level up to high mountain elevations along the Andes mountain chain.
History
The high altitude Chavin, Huara and then Inca empire, 1000 B.C.- 1532 A.D., developed and were dependent on the llama and alpaca for food, fuel, clothing, transport of goods and religion. The sun dried meat called 'charqui' is the origin of our word 'jerky'. The larger llama was used for carrying. The fine (i.e. thin) fibre of both animals were used for clothing with that of the vicuna, the finest, reserved for royalty. Then the Spaniards arrived in 1532 and the one century old Inca empire collapsed. European animals were introduced. Alpaca herds were released to mix and interbreed. Centuries of selective breeding was lost. In particular llama and alpaca cross bred to the detriment of the fineness of the fibre. However, the alpacas, because of their suitability to high altitude living survived and continued to be used for fibre.
In the Industrial Revolution, the Lancashire mills ran out of wool. There were alpaca bales available at Liverpool, greasy, dirty stuff. So they were tried instead and the fibre was found to be very hard-wearing and warm. Alpaca clothes became common. The Ceylon judiciary wore alpaca suits because they were light and cool in the heat. Even Queen Victoria had an alpaca coat. Later, in the 1930's, it was illegal to road-race bicycles. To look inconspicuous, the cyclists wore ordinary, black, alpaca jackets and trousers next to the skin for streamlined warmth. Few today are persuaded that Lycra is more elegant.
As a fabric, alpaca fibre continues to be used for its warmth, unscratchiness, dye-ability and hard wearing qualities. There is a very well developed alpaca industry in Peru with a triennial fair. And alpacas have been established in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Europe.
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