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| This cave is near the original cave the Turner's stumbled upon. |
Partially buried in the floor of the cave the Turner’s
discovered an earthen vessel containing beads, a bone awl, a 16 foot long string
of glass beads, and a square textile in nearly perfect condition. Little did
Mel and Ed realize that they had stumbled upon what would become one of
Colorado’s most prized and priceless artifacts: the Telluride Blanket.
The blanket was woven on a loom with what is called a twill
weave. Twill weaves are used today to create denim, and seeing as it is a
sophisticated and difficult weave to master, the Anasazi weaver was likely an
expert at his craft. The blanket was probably made by a man, as ancient
Puebloans traditionally delegated weaving to their men, and it likely served as
a “wearing blanket,” or a multi-purpose blanket that provided warmth, helped
with heavy loads, cushioned seating, or swaddled infants.
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Dated at over 800
years old, the Telluride Blanket has surpassed the typical lifespan of similar
textiles by nearly 700 years. According to textile expert Kate Peck Kent, “No
other complete specimen exists. There are only two other patterned prehistoric
blankets that match this when it comes to its undamaged state.”
Many mysteries still surround the blanket and
its history. Where was the blanket made? What was the story of its maker? Where was the cotton harvested for its
delicate threads? And what dyes were used to create its vibrant pattern?
The Telluride Historical Museum is excited to host a new
program, Cool Colors with Dynamic Dyes on Tuesday, March 5 at 3:30pm. Delve
deeper into the history of the blanket, its wild journey to the Museum, and how
it has been preserved over time. We will unravel possible sources for the blanket’s rich
color and then try our hand at dying our own textile. While all are welcome, this program is best suited for children grades 1-4. Hope to see you there!
Anne Gerhard
Programs and Interpretation Coordinator
Telluride Historical Museum
