VALDIVIA CULTURE: HISTORY, ART, RELIGION, ORGANIZATION, CUSTOMS - HISTORY - 2025

The Valdivia culture was discovered by the Ecuadorian archaeologist Emilio Estrada Icaza (1916-1961) in 1956. At the time of its discovery, Estrada estimated that this civilization had developed more than 4,000 years ago.

It was the oldest civilization recorded up to that time. Recent data show that it flourished between 3500 and 1800 BC. This culture had its seat in the south of Ecuador, on its Pacific coast.

Among others, archaeologists have found evidence that they were very skilled in ceramic work. In their excavations, they have found everyday items, such as jugs and glasses, with a sophisticated manufacturing technique.

Carved stone statuettes have also been found. In reference to this ceramic work, they are considered to be one of the first artistic representations produced in the Americas. On the other hand, there is evidence that they worked the land, which characterizes them as a sedentary society.

It has been determined to be one of the oldest cultures that can be found on the new continent. Before the discovery of the Sacred City of Caral in Peru, the title of The cradle of American culture was disputed. Valdivia is in fact known to be the ancestor of Mesoamerican cultures such as the Mayas, the Aztecs and the Incas.

History of the Valdivia culture

Despite archaeological finds, the origins of the Valdivia culture remain a mystery. Since its discovery in 1956 until 1999, around 25 sites of this culture had been discovered. All of them contributed information about its development, but did not shed light on its origins, nor on its end.

At first, experts related it to Jomon (Kyushu Island, Japan), due to the similarity of its pottery. This gave basis to a theory of trans-Pacific contact between Japan and Ecuador as the origin of the Valdivia culture.

However, more recent research places this origin in an earlier culture: Las Vegas. This was a pre-Columbian culture settled in Ecuador between 8,000 BC. C. and 4,600 a. C. At present, it is the most accepted theory.

To date, there is no record of the migration of culture, nor has a definitive end to its existence been found. Most archaeologists and scholars believe that the decline in numbers forced members of the communities to abandon their coastal settlement and go in search of a more prosperous life elsewhere.

Art

Mortar, Valdivia Costa Sur // 4000 BC - 1500 BC

The most representative of his art is pottery and clay figures. The ceramics of Valdivia are quite distinctive. They are characterized by the use of a wide variety of decorative techniques, such as decorative incisions on the entire periphery, stamping, finger grooving and appliqués.

Vessels and bowls in different shapes and sizes with a wide array of ornaments suggest that they were intended to be used for serving rather than cooking or storing food inside.

On the other hand, the carved stone figures are small statuettes between 3 and 5 inches tall, with tiny faces, elaborate hairstyles. Several of these Venus de Valdivia, as they are known, are hermaphrodites, presenting both male and female characteristics.

Although the function of these objects is not entirely clear, it is believed that they were used in some type of ceremonial activity.

Religion

Like all pre-Columbian cultures, Valdivia worshiped deities of nature. Sometimes these gods were represented with animal figures. Most of their ceremonies were celebrated to ask for fertility (both their women and their crops).

On the other hand, the main figure of their religiosity were the shamans. These were in charge of the ceremonial and other activities. Among others, they elaborated ritual calendars to control production and rites to promote rain.

Social organization

Like other groups originating from the continent, the Valdivia civilization was organized along tribal lines. Life was regulated through reciprocal and kinship relationships to ensure the survival of the group. They may have had bosses and individuals who are experts in dealing with the spirit world.

Furthermore, the people of Valdivia are thought to have been among the first on the continent to live in villages built next to the meadows along the river. This fact shows a certain degree of urban planning.

The layout would be about 50 oval-shaped houses with family groups of approximately 30 people. The houses are believed to have been built from plant matter.

Customs and dress

The members of the Valdivia culture buried their dead in the same mounds on which their homes were built. Children were sometimes buried in ceramic jars. Domesticated dogs were also buried in a similar way to their human masters.

Also, although no remains of coca leaves were found in any of the excavations, clay figurines were found that represented a figure with a swollen cheek as if it were chewing a coca ball.

In a similar way, small vessels were found used to store the substance that released the active alkaloid from the coca leaf.

Regarding the type of clothing, none of the excavations carried out has yielded enough evidence that could shed light on this matter. The archaeologist Jorge Marcos, in 1971, discovered traces of textiles in some ceramic pieces.

From them, an approximation has been obtained about the type of fabric that this town would have used to make their dresses.

Agriculture and economy

There are reasons to affirm that, in its beginnings, the Valdivia culture was a nomadic people of hunters and gatherers oriented only to satisfy their basic biological needs. Finds of deer, partridge, bear and rabbit bones in initially explored caves support this claim.

Later, it was developed until having a mixed economy. The main subsistence mechanisms in this new phase were both the sea and agriculture. The evidence points to the ingestion of mollusks as the main source of marine food.

Regarding agriculture, remains of tools, irrigation canals and plant waste have been found. These show an incipient practice of agricultural techniques. It is believed that they grew manioc, sweet potatoes, peanuts, squash and cotton, among other items.

They also practiced raising some animals. This together with agriculture consolidated sedentary lifestyle as a way of life. Agricultural activity surpluses began to exist and were stored for periods of scarcity.

Over time, the communities became more stable. Then the social groups in charge of providing with their work the means of subsistence for the satisfaction of the various social needs (fishermen, farmers, artisans) appear.

References

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