“La cisterna”: an analysis of ceramic materials from a Manteño phase hilltop water cistern in Dos Mangas, Ecuador

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

A Manteño phase (A.D. 750-1530) settlement located in the present-day community of Dos Mangas, on the coast of Ecuador, is the site of a rare hilltop water cistern, which was previously excavated by Sarah Rowe in 2009. Archaeologist Jorge Marcos first described the presence of hilltop water cisterns utilized during the Manteño phase, which collected mist from coastal fog that was then distributed to agricultural terraces via irrigation canals. Due to the rare occurrence of these water features in the archaeological record, little is known about additional associated activities. The 2009 excavation of this Manteño phase hilltop cistern was the first of such a feature. It yielded no evidence of irrigation canals; however, leveled terraces can be observed on the hillside leading to the cistern site, suggesting previous agricultural terracing at the site. A recent analysis of materials from the 2009 excavation suggests potential ritual use of the site, attributable to the presence of a large quantity of burnt and fineware ceramics, indicative of feasting and ritually significant practices, in addition to utilitarian vessels likely used for crop storage. Other significant materials include mother of pearl shells, and canine remains, which also suggest ritual use of the site.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38891.0