New bioarchaeological evidence for Guangala and Manteño-Huancavilca Cultures in Santa Elena peninsula (Southern Ecuadorian coast).

Summary

In this contribution we present the preliminary results of a study that addresses the funerary practices and the osteobiographical profile of various sites from Guangala culture (Regional Development Period, 300 BC-800AD) and Manteño-Huancavilca culture (Integration Period, 800AD-1530AD). In this case, we have investigated human remains from the Guangala site OGSE-46 from Samarina, several locations from the Manteño-Huancavilca period in La Libertad (OGSE-47) and Chanduy; most of them have not been published previously. The archaeological data available indicate significant differences in burial practices of both cultures that are observed in the treatment of the bodies, the type of burial and the grave goods. These changes have been also observed in important demographic, social, economic and ritual transformations that archaeological researches have revealed. In this regard, it has been proposed that the intensification of long-distance trade with other regions of the America, especially Central America and Peru, and the Inca invasion facilitated the achievement of social complexity. The purpose of this contribution is to provide new evidence to the understanding of these communities and the deep social changes that involved the rise of the Manteño-Huancavilca Culture.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

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