The Mayo-Chinchipe culture existed from c. 5500 – 1700 BCE in the highlands of what is now Ecuador.[1][2]
It extended from the sources of Valladolid river, in the Podocarpus National Park in Ecuador, to where Chinchipe flows into the Marañon River in the area of Bagua, Peru, and received its name from the river names.[3]
The best known Mayo-Chinchipe site is Santa Ana (La Florida), where a temple and ceremonial hearth have been found.[2]
Also at Montegrande, related ceremonial centers were found. In the same general area, in Palanda, Ecuador (just across the border with Peru), a tomb was found with stone and ceramic artifacts, as well as cacao and Spondylus shells. Another related site is San Isidro, in Peru, close to Jaen (Jaen District), and in the same general area as Montegrande.
The culture is believed to have included shamanism and other specialist work roles.[4] It used stone and pottery technologies, and consumed cacao and possibly corn beer.[5]
The culture is believed to have traded plants with coastal cultures such as the Valdivia.