Amate Paper (Mexican pre-hispanic paper)

Among the materials used for the pre-

hispanic man to print his pictorial manuscripts, we
have the amate paper, made from the bark of the fig
tree. Amatl is a Nahuatl word. This paper is still
manufactured and used in beautiful manifestations
of Mexican folk art.
Over the time, ancient civilizations, around
the world, expressed concern about leaving
reflected their knowledge, historical facts, customs
and beliefs, in order to ensure his legacy from
generation to generation. For doing this, they sought
a variety of materials, which depended on the natural resources provided by their environment. The
Mesoamerican cultures were no exception: in its many expressions, used as a recording medium
canvases, standing deer, maguey paper and in greater quantity, amate paper.

Amate´s age

According to research, the manufacture of paper amate corresponds to the Classic Period.
The existence of stone crushers dating from 500 A.D. to y 600 A.D. and have been found in several
archaeological sites in the country. Those stones were, and are the main tool with which the craftsman
was manufacturing paper sheets.

During the period the amate paper was used for various manifestations; some were intended
for performing rituals during religious festivals, like garments for priests, dancers and those who were
to be sacrificed. It was also used in various offerings. Amate also was used for the elaboration of
numerous documents or codices.

Although we know that there was a huge production, only few specimens were preserved,
woefully. The widespread destruction of documents at the beginning of the Colony, neglect and
abandonment of others, coupled with the inevitable effects of time, have been the main cause
irreparable losses.

Survivors of a Tradition

In the early days of the colony, the Spaniards tried to disrupt the manufacture of bark paper,
because he had a close relationship with the pre-hispanic religious rituals. Instead they introduced the
European paper; but despite the prohibitions, manufacturing of amate lasted for ritual purposes over
time. As a result, in the first half of the last century, some anthropologists and other scholars
rediscovered that activity in the Sierra Norte de Puebla and parts of Veracruz and Oaxaca. Currently
amate paper is still made in the town of San Pablito, Pahuatlán municipality in the Sierra Norte de
Puebla.

Raw Material

Plant fibers used in the preparation of amate come from the inner bark of different genera and
species of trees. In most cases, were Ficus and Morus, which in turn belong to the family Moraceae.
The selection of raw materials also depended on the natural resources of the different regions where
the bark paper was produced.