Syke House Alpacas
About the Alpaca
The Alpaca Centre
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The ancestors of the present day camelids roamed the north-western areas of the North American continent 9 million years ago. 3 million years ago, the family had split.
The Camelini group migrated into Asia, where only the bactrian and dromedary camels remain; the Lamelini group migrated down the western side of North America and into South America, where now only four types remain, the wild guanaco, from which the domestic llama was bred, and the wild vicuna, from which it is now generally acknowledged the domestic alpaca was bred.
The alpaca is a product of ancient Andean civilisations, where 6,000 years ago it had already evolved from the vicuna to produce a unique fibre in great quantities. Production of alpaca fibre reached its height in the time of the Incas, where it was reserved to clothe the nobility. It owes much of its beauty to the genetic inheritance from the wild, distinctive vicuna, which produces the finest fibre in the world. The vicuna, however, resisted domestication and hence the development of the alpaca, a placid, co-operative, camelid growing exceptional quality fibre in great bulk and the full range of natural colours.
During the years of Spanish rule, the Inca civilisation was devastated and the carefully bred herds of alpacas spread far and wide to breed with mediocre stock, completely eradicating the superb Inca fleece quality. It has never been matched, though great strides are being made today towards regaining it.
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About the Alpaca
History
Merits
Considerations
Maintenance
Fibre
Economics