PRECERAMIC PERIOD OF THE EQUATOR: ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS - HISTORY - 2025

The Preceramic Period of Ecuador is a division used by historians to refer to a stage in the country's history. Its beginning is dated around 10,000 BC, although some authors offer different dates. Its end, and the beginning of the next period, is marked in 3600 BC.

Although there are different theories about the arrival of the first inhabitants to the American continent, the most widespread affirms that it did so by crossing the Bering Strait. The end of the last ice age allowed them to advance south, reaching the lands of present-day Ecuador and establishing some communities there.

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These first settlers were, as the remains found show, hunters and gatherers. They stood out in the first activity and there is a historiographic current that relates them to the extinction of some of the great animals of the time.

In Ecuador they settled mainly in two areas: the highlands and the coast. The inhabitants of both locations showed different characteristics, highlighting the beginning of a certain sedentarization among those who settled in the coastal areas. Among the cultures that formed, Las Vegas stood out.

Origin

The most widespread theory about the arrival of the first human groups to the American continent states that they did so from Asia, crossing the Bering Strait. They were nomads who survived by hunting and gathering and had already developed efficient lithic technology.

The improvement of the climate allowed these groups to head south, reaching Ecuadorian lands. There, they fully adapted to the existing ecological conditions.

Experts consider that these migrations began, as a maximum date, about fifty thousand years ago, although they assume that they also occurred much later.

Nomenclature differences

There are different nomenclatures to name these early stages of humanity depending on the area of ​​the planet. In this way, the Preceramic developed while Europe was in the Paleolithic.

The difference comes from the long duration of the Paleolithic in Europe, Asia and Africa. During it, the human being evolved from Australopithecus to Homo sapiens, something that did not happen in America, where the first inhabitants were already sapiens.

Holocene

As noted above, the change in the Earth's climate was fundamental for human beings to settle in Ecuador. Between 10,000 and 8000 BC C. the Pleistocene ended in the Andes and a new geological climatic era called the Holocene began.

This was characterized by the retreat of the ice from the last ice age, completely changing the terrain. In this way, the warming of the area allowed human irruption, facilitated migrations and, with it, that the different areas could be populated.

characteristics

The Preceramic Period, also called by many historians the Paleoindian Period, is usually dated from 10,000 BC to 3,600 BC. In Ecuador, the best known settlements were those of El Inga, Chobshi, Cubilán and Las Vegas.

Within this period, important differences can be found between the settlements in the mountains and those on the coast. The first developed a lithic industry richer in materials, in addition to building utensils with flakes and retouched sheets.

In both cases, they were nomadic groups, organized in hordes or bands. They based their existence on hunting, gathering and fishing.

Some remains found have shown the presence of corn, which has led experts to think that they could practice some type of rudimentary agriculture.

In the Andean region

In the Andean area, the first settlers used to settle in temporary camps, since they were nomads. During their stay in each area, they took advantage of the resources they found around, either by hunting or by gathering fruits and roots.

On the coast

For their part, experts point out that the inhabitants of the coast began a process of sedentarization. These areas were very rich in resources, from marine animals to plants.

Human groups

In Ecuador, evidence shows that the first human groups were organized in hordes or bands. These were made up of few families, without a head office or social classes.

The temporary camps were erected with leather tents and sticks. Another option was to take shelter in caves and other natural refuges. These hordes used to stay in the same place as long as hunting and other food resources were sufficient to survive.

Types of housing

The dwellings used by these first inhabitants of Ecuador ranged from the huts covered with branches to the use of the caves as shelter.

The huts on the coast have been studied by some experts. The conclusion is that they measured between 150 and 180 centimeters in diameter, built in the shape of a beehive. The walls were covered with dry herbs and branches.

Stone carving

Since the beginning of the Preceramic, human groups developed a sophisticated technique to carve stone. With this material they built weapons and utensils that were used to cut.

Their weapons were powerful enough to hunt medium-sized animals, as well as large prey such as mastodons or giant llamas. Thanks to their skill, they were able to efficiently take advantage of their flesh, skin and bones

Archaeological sites of the Paleoindian

The archaeologists, thanks to the study of the sites, have come to the conclusion that the first settlements in Ecuadorian lands occurred in the inter-Andean alley. The name given to these settlements is that of workshop-camps.

Among the most important is the site of El Inga. This is located at the base of the Ilaló hill, at an altitude of 2520 meters. Its creation dates from approximately 7080 BC and, from the remains found, it is known that its inhabitants made artifacts.

Among the tools that have been found are knives, scrapers and projectile points.

Two other major sites of the Pre-Ceramic Period were those of Chobshi and Cubilán, dated between 8500 BC and 5585 BC The first was located at a zero of 2400 meters high, where archaeologists have found stone and bone utensils, as well like missile arrows.

For its part, that of Cubilán was 3100 meters high, in the subparamo. The remains found are very similar to the previous two.

Las Vegas Culture

The most studied culture of those developed during this period is that of Las Vegas, on the Ecuadorian coast.

Its inhabitants used the wood to make hunting tools, such as javelins and spears. With the reeds they made knives and made farming utensils with large seashells.

References

1. Wikiwand. Pre-Columbian history of the Ecuadorian coast. Retrieved from wikiwand.com
2. Ephemeris. Preceramic Period. Obtained from efemerides.ec
3. Edupedia. First Prehistoric Period: Preceramic (Paleolithic). Retrieved from edupedia.ec
4. Quito Adventure. Aboriginal History. Retrieved from quitoadventure.com
5. All Ecuador and More. History of Ecuador. Retrieved from alleximorandmore.com
6. The University of New Mexico. Pre-ceramic Origins of Andean Civilization. Recovered from unm.edu
7. Revolvy. Pre-Columbian Ecuador. Retrieved from revolvy.com