The Jambelí Culture is an Ecuadorian pre-Columbian archaeological culture. It was centred around the Guayas River, with Jambeli sites found in nearby swamps and islands. Few artefacts have survived to present day.[1]
They used simplistic tools, such as stones for hammers, but also sandstone saws[2] and a stone bark beater for making textiles.[3]
Numerous well-crafted beads have been found, made from a variety of materials including basalt, shale, serpentine, chlorite schist, and shell, specifically spondylus shells. Simplistic shell pendants are common, but there exists one extant example of a shell pendent carved in the shape of a bird.[4]
Jambeli figurines and ceramics were not as sophisticated as those from the nearby Guangala or distant Bahia cultures. Several figurines thought to be imitations of Guangala figurines have been found. Jambeli figurines are hollow, and rectangular, with stylized features etched into their faces and a smooth surface. Pottery is similarly simplistic, though an array of specialized vessels have been found such as bottles, various types of jars, compoteras and other legged bowls. Ceramics were either painted red and white, or partially painted red. Decorative elements on these ceramics were confined to simple geomtric repeats, though a few examples of animal and bird patterns (sometimes made by applique) are known to exist.[5]
References
editCitations
edit- ^ Meggers 1966, pp. 78–79.
- ^ Meggers 1966, p. 79.
- ^ Meggers 1966, p. 80.
- ^ Meggers 1966, pp. 79–80.
- ^ Meggers 1966, pp. 80–82.
Bibliography
edit- Meggers, Betty J. (1966). Daniel, Glyn (ed.). Ecuador. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, Inc.