Valdivia culture

Valdivia culture

Line of inquiry: The formation of the first settlements.

First civilization of the formative period.

The Valdivia culture was the first civilization of the formative period.

This culture marks the beginning of a sedentary lifestyle on the Ecuadorian coast. 

Pre-Columbian archaeological culture

Valdivia is a pre-Columbian archaeological culture that developed between 3,500 and 1,800 a. C. on the west coast of Ecuador.

Location

• It settled in the valley of Valdivia, Santa Elena peninsula (province of Santa Elena), near to the Guayas River, Los Ríos, Manabí and El Oro.

• The Real Alto site as one of the first places where culture settled.

• This culture developed in the driest area of ​​the Ecuadorian coast.

Their pottery

Their pottery is considered the oldest pottery in America. The artifacts and objects made by this culture had domestic uses like: process, serve and store food.

A sophisticated pottery

The pottery became more sophisticated and a process of mass creation of ceramics begins, not only utilitarian but also ceremonial creating the famous "Venus de Valdivia".

Religion

• They were polytheists, (they worshiped various gods).

• The woman was the main goddess, the higher the bun the more power she had, there was a matriarchy at this time.

Community

The Valdivia lived in a community that built its houses in a circle or oval around a central plaza. 

Economy

• Its economy was based on agriculture, livestock and fisheries in addition to obtaining natural resources.

• Its main crops were: corn, beans, chili and peanuts.

• They gathered wild fruits: papayas, pineapples and cherimoyas

• They hunted: deer, guantas, tapir and sahinos.