Finding of indigenous culture in the Amazon reveals roots of ancient groups

The finding of an indigenous culture developed  2,500 to 5,500 years ago, has attracted the interest of archaeologists and historians nowadays, who claim that this discovery is significant to know the roots of the several groups of the Amazon.

Is the Mayo-Chinchipe-Marañon culture, found in October of 2002 in the canton Palanda of Zamora Chinchipe. It consists of an organized stone architectural complex, characterized by a necropolis, a large circular ground and a possible ceremonial space. The main feature of this culture was the lapidary art (stone work) made in  colors, such as crockery; not just tools.

The investigation, which lasted 12 years, was presented last week in Quito in the Amazon Archaeology III meeting. The Zamora Chinchipe Project can be visited also through the website:palanda.arqueo-ecuatoriana.ec.

“Knowing that the remains belong to an ancient cultures and are part of the inheritance of civilization, is priceless,” said Francisco Valdez, director of the scientific mission, involved in the discovery of the archaeological site of Santa Ana La Florida.

The investigation began in September of 2001 by a group of three French and three Ecuadorians, with the support of the Research Institute for Development (IRD) in France. The cost of the research was about $ 3.5 million and the total intervention area was of 1053 m².

This culture can be considered contemporary with Valdivia, one of the oldest in Ecuador. This discovery has returned the identity to the Amazon people. Valdez also stated that this site is not the only one, and considers that there may be more.