Manabí is an exceptional place to find archeological evidence of pre-Columbian cultures. The chronological birth of the Ecuadorian archeology occurred 3, 800 ±  1800 years B.C. with the discovery of ceramic pieces that belonged to the old Valdivia culture named by the archeologist Emilio Estrada in 1958. The historic pottery of the Ecuadorian coast has experienced several transformations in style since its beginning, about 6,000 years ago. For these reason, the experts have divided the pre-Columbian era in Ecuador into three chronologically different periods.

 

The Formative Period (3,500 – 800 years B.C.) includes the Valdivia, Machalilla and Chorrera cultures that displayed a developing pottery style.

The Regional Development Period (800 B.C. -  800 A.C.) is represented by the Guangala and Bahía cultures. The ceramic objects made during this time showed advanced and more complex style than its predecessors.

 

The Integration Period (800 A.C.- 1500 A.C.) is essentially represented by the Manteño-Huancavilca culture. It’s an era dominated by empires, chiefdoms and trading.

 

The museums at Salango and Agua Blanca have on display an interesting collection of ceramics that belonged to some of these cultures. 

 

Don’t forget to visit them!