ARCHAEOLOGICAL & ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL MUSEUM OF JAMACULTURAL MUSEUM OF JAMA

ARCHAEOLOGICAL & ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL MUSEUM OF JAMACULTURAL MUSEUM OF JAMA

VIRTUAL MUSEUM

Volume 1 of Cultural Images and Information on the Past and Present of the Canton Jama.

PROYECTO DE RESCATE ARQUEOLOGICO DEL PERIODO

JAMAJAMA MUNICIPALITY

Zoot. Alex Cevallos MedinaMAYOR

Project Author: Eudaldo J. Loor City Council member, Jama

José Luis Lovecchio, Archaeologist Kathryn Glaser, Ecologist

Web version edited by Catherine WoodwardCeiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation

ARQUEOLOGICAL “RESCUE” OF THE CULTURES OF JAMA

• The area of Canton Jama is 579 km2

• It is a valley that descends through the Cordillera de Camarones• The Canton has 46 communities and borders the Canton

Pedernales to the North and the Canton San Vicente to the South. To the East lay the cantons of Pedernales, Chone, and Sucre and to the west lays the Pacific Ocean.

• The population is 20,230• Primary economic activities are cattle ranching, shrimp farming,

agriculture and fishing.

Cantón Jama

Agriculture and cattle ranching are very important production activities in the Canton Jama.

Shrimp farming is a permanent source of income and employment, and made Jama one of Ecuador’s most productive provinces in Ecuador.

Shrimp cultivation in captivity

Artesanal fishing primarily takes place in the north of the province and represents a major source of income there.

Lugar: El Matal

Places like the Arc of Love have great tourist potential and exemplify the beauty of this province.

Lugar: Tasaste

The region boasts pristine beaches of incomparable beauty.

Lugar: Tasaste

Beautiful sunset in Jama.

Lugar: Don Juan

Punta Ballena, natural port used by ancient Jama natives.

Lovely beaches

Lugar: El Matal

One of the numerous rivers that flow into the Pacific Ocean flows through Jama. Located between Bahía de Cojimíes to the north and Bahía de Caráquez to the south, it is a small to medium sized watershed with an estimated area of 1612 Km2. Jama is located at approximately 00º-12’-38” S y 80º-16’-05” W.

There are four types of forest (Holridge Life Zones) in the Canton Jama due to the climatic transition zone it occupies: Very Dry Tropical Forest, Dry Tropical Forest, Pre-montane Dry Forest, and Pre-montane Humid Forest. The area also contains a few relict mangrove, although most have been wiped out by shrimp farming.

Ecology and Environment

Dry forest orchids

Vigua Waterfall

• Valdivia.- The culture extended through the north of Manabí. Félix Martínez was the first explorer to discover this culture.

• Chorrera.- This culture was discovered by Profesor Francisco Huerta Rendón. Today we know that this culture disappeared from the Jama River valley after the massive eruption of Pululahua Volcano 2300 – 2325 years ago.

• Jama.- This civilization settled in the valleys of Jama and Coaque 2300 years ago, and lasted until the genocide brought on by Spanish conquistadors. There are four known periods of this culture, known as Muchique 1 – 2 – 3 – 4.

Cultures that settled the Río Jama Valley

Culture: Valdivia

Phase 8 or Terminal

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Domestic pot with incisions and ornaments

Culture: Valdivia

Phase 8 or Terminal

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Ceremonial vase, grey in color with ornamentation.

The north of Manabí has a unique geology showing the indelible imprints of past volcanic activity. The history of volcanic eruptions has been studied by geography students in Ecuador, under the direction of geologist Patricia Mothes. One of the most obvious volcanic ash layers is the one left by Pululahua volcano that occured 2300 – 2325 years ago.

Artifacts from the Chorrera culture is found only under this layer, evidence that this culture disappeared due to the effects of the explosion.

Above this ash layer, we find evidence of the Jama Civilization, thus we deduce that this civilization is at maximum 2300 years old.

The Geology of Jama

Bend in the Jama River where one can observe distinct layers of volcanic sediment.

Pululahua Volcano 2300 – 2325 bp

Detail of a soil profile in the Camarones River watershed, Mound 4, where one can observe the volcanic ash layer named Tephra 3.

Tephra 3

The first archeological exploration was conducted at the Hacienda Camarones, property of the Loor family. Here, a series of mounds (Tolas) were found, in lines apparently perfectly aligned with the movement of the sun in an east-west direction.

We arrived at the conclusion that these were habitational mounds, with approximately 50 m between lines, and 25 m separating mounds within the line. These remains are believed to be the principal constructions of a town, preconceived and planned in a strategic way, to be situated on the banks of the Camarones River and near the Pacific Ocean, two marvelous sources of primary resources to maintain an organized society.

Camarones River Watershed

Camarones River, where once again the Tephra 3 ash layer is visible.

Topographic location of the habitational complex of Camarones.

The structure of the habitational mounds was clarified by the excavation of Mound 4 in the Camarones complex.

The excavation down to the original soil layer showed that the people did not use natural mounds as a base for their houses but that these mounds were constructed entirely of piled-up fill material. This demonstrates that the habitational complex of Camarones was architecturally preconceived, constructed communitarily and directed by a competent architect.

No aspect of the design is random, and the location, alignment and construction reflect a coherent cosmovision of the builders. This site suggests a prosperous, organized town located in natural surroundings with abundant fresh water, the sea and the forest, suitable for sustaining the development of culture.

Architectural Aspects of the Mounds

Habitational mound (tola) in Camarones

Profile of an artificial mound on the banks of the Camarones River

Present surface

Layer of cobbles

Compacted earth

Cobblestone base

One of the tasks of the “archeological rescue” operation in the Canton Jama was the intensive recovery of archeological artefacts originally removed illegally by “graverobbers”, an all-too-common situation in the area.

This effort was highly successful, with the recovery of a considerable quantity of bivalve and other mollusk-derived artefacts that were utilized for alimentation, ornamentation and ceremonies. One of the most heavily utilized bivalves was Spondylus.

Both Spondylus calcifer and Spondylus princeps were utilized by many cultures, both along the coast and in the highlands. Spondylus calcifer was used as currency for trade, and Spondylus princeps was used for meteorological prediction, especially to predict periods of rains or drought.

Bivalves and other MollusksOrnamentation, Trade and Commerce

Edible snail

Hexaplex regius

Edible snail

Hexaplex brassica

Spondylus calcifer

Uses: Food, ornamentation and currency

The second excavation was conducted in the Tabuga stream-valley, at the northern limit of the Canton Jama.

Four ovens for baking ceramics were uncovered on the property of Mrs. Nelly Sabando. All of these ovens are designed with an exposed opening at the top.

The study concluded that the ovens, which are of considerable size, are constructed from ceramic plaster covered by an 18 cm thick layer of cold-hardening adobe.

Ceramic pieces were introduced into the kiln through the opening in the top, onto coals of charcoal or firewood, and the kiln was partially covered to maintain the desired temperature.

Ceramic and Metallurgic KilnsTabuga Watershed

Ceramic kiln in Tabuga Sra. Nelly Sabando

Metallurgic and Ceramic kilns in Tabuga

Sr Luciano Crisanti

Process of cleaning and reconstructing the kilns of Tabuga.

Process of cleaning and reconstructing the kilns of Tabuga.

Ceramic and metallurgic kilns are shown here, 50% cleaned and reconstructed, in Tabuga

Metallurgic kiln

The Jama civilization attained mastery in the art of metallurgy, with a thorough knowledge of alloy production, in particular a well-developed alloy of coper and arsenic. They were also well-versed in the process of gold-plating.

The method employed for founding metal was to place the metal in a ceramic crucible and heat it using wood charcoal as fuel. Air was blown into the kiln with a bamboo tube, until the temperature reached 1100ºC, sufficient to melt gold or copper.

Metallurgy

Culture: Jama

Material: Gold-plated copper

Use: Nose ring

Details: 2.9 cm wide

2.1 cm high

1.4 cm thick

Culture: Jama

Material: Gold

Use: Earring

Details: Gold plating

Width 3.1 cm

Height 2.2 cm

0.6 mm thick

Culture: Jama

Material: Gold alloyed with copper

Use: Sewing needles

Detailes: Top needle – 6 cm long

Bottom needle - 5 cm de largo

Culture: Jama

Material: Gold and copper

Use: Nose ring

Details: Width 2.2 cm

Height 1.8 cm

Thickness 1.5 cm

Culture: Jama

Material: Gold

Use: Earring

Details: Gold plating

width 2.9 cm

height 1.7 cm

thickness 0.3 mm

Culture: Jama

Material: Gold-plated copper

Use: Nosering

Details: width 1.9 cm

height 1.8 cm

thickness 0.1 mm

Culture: Jama

Material: Sheets of gold

Details: Left, width 1.5 cm

Height 0.8 cm

Right, width 2.0 cm

Height 1.3 cm

• The ceramics of Jama are characterized by their fine quality, red and ivory colors, and detailed finishing.

• Molds were utilized to fabricate series of pieces.

CERAMICS of JAMA

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Domestic pot

Polished red color

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Domestic pot

Polished red with etching

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Domestic pot

Polished terracota color

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Domestic pot

Polished red with internal etching

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Compote

Polished red over grey

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Uso: Polypoid household dish

Polished red with tan interior

12 cm diameter, 9 cm tall

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Uso: Polypoid household dish

Red terracota color

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Household pot

Polished red color, 46 cm diameter

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Household pot

Red terracota, 34 cm diameter, 9 cm tall

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Household pot

Diameter 47.3 Height 14 cm

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Anthropomorphic figurine, with ceremonial adornment on the forehead.

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Anthropomorphic figurine for didactic medical use, showing a specific illness.

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Uso: Household dish with mammiform polypoids

Red and tan color

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Uso: Household dish with mammiform polypoids

Red and tan color

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Uso: Household dish with mammiform polypoids

Red and tan color

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use: Anthropomorphic figurine, in seated position, with shell designs on poncho and hat.

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Use:Ceremonial

Anthrozoomorphic figurine, that represents a shaman transfigured into a man-tiger.

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Anthropomorphic figurine, in seated position on a cassava plant, eating corn.

Side view of anterior figure, showing cassava plant “chair”.

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Anthropomorphic figurine representing a musician playing a wind instrument.

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Anthropomorphic figurine representing a musician playing a wind instrument.

Culture: Jama

Material: Clay

Piece: Ceramic

Anthropomorphic figurine representing an eagle-man.

Use: Monotonic wind instrument

Side view of previous figure

Culture: Jama

Material: Polished obsidian

Use: Instrument for stellar observacion

Length 12.3 cm Width 11.1 cm

Culture: Jama

Material: Polished obsidian

6 cm. x 6 cm.

Culture: Jama

Material: Polished obsidian

6 cm. X 4 cm.

Culture: Jama

Material: Ground stone

Use: Canoe anchor

Location: Punta Brava

Culture: Jama

Material: Ground stone

Use: Canoe anchor

Location: Punta Brava

Cultura: Jama

Material: Obsidian

Use: Arrow heads

Location: Camarones River site, Mound 4

Culture: Jama

Material: Quartz

Use: Arrow heads

Location: Camarones River site, Mound 4

Culture: Jama

Material: Stone

Use: Household grindstones

Location: Camarones river site, on surface of Mound 2

Culture: Jama

Calcified corn

Location: El Matal

Where Sálima Creek meets the Jama River, a mound was discovered that was covered with conglomerate rocks containing arsenic. This place functioned as a ceremonial and administrative center of the Cacique during the Jama period. This ceremonial center consists of pyramid of three levels, 50 meters long by 34 meters wide, and 2.9 meters high.

Like all ceremonial pyramids found in South America, this is a truncated pyramid, with an entrance ramp paved by stone. As far as we know, this is the only pyramid that has been found on the coast of Ecuador and as such as been designated as an archeological park for long-term conservation. The structure is currently being studied.

The stones that make up this structure are believed to have been brought from a place 8 km away. The geographic location of the pyramid is 00º 13’ 18,1” S, 80º 14’ 34.2” W.

The Truncated Pyramid of Sálima

Excavation of the truncated pyramid of Salima.

Excavation of the truncated pyramid of Salima.

Excavation of the truncated pyramid of Salima, showing rocks used in construction

Truncated ceremonial and administrative pyramid

Sálima

Signage to the archeological park at Salima

Sign marking entrance to pyramid

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to all the persons and institutions who have, directly or indirectly, supported the creation of this virtual museum, whose purpose is to reveal the history of our ancestors, give value to the links we have with them, and provide a snapshot of our past to help us construct our future.

All rights reserve. Reproduction or use prohibited without express consent of the authors.

Eudaldo J. Loor

Lovecchio – Glaser

Translated by: Catherine Woodward

September 2003 Jama – Ecuador