The geographical space known today as Ecuador is comprised of three natural regions that are differentiated by altitudinal and climatic factors (Figure 43.1). These determine the major ecological distinctions that characterize the vegetation cover of each zone. The regions are known as Costa (the coastal plains), Sierra (the mountainous highlands of the Andes), and Oriente (the eastern lowlands, leading to Amazonia). A fourth natural region that claims greater importance in the cultural history of the country is the transitional zone situated on both sides of the Andes. This Ceja de Montana, or the flanks of the cordillera that join the lowlands with the highland plateaux, is gradually being recognized as the zone where interactions were common and most effective (Lippi 2004; Valdez et al. 2005).
As current research advances, the cultural potentials of the ceja regions appear evident. The enormous variety of plants, animals, birds and insects that thrive in this ecosystem make it one of the richest biodiversity reserves in the world. People discovered the significance and value of this ecological diversity very early. It is certain that the
Figure 43.1. Map of Ecuador showing major ecological zones. (Francisco Valdez)
Contrasts of the different ecotones were crucial in plant domestication (Pearsall 2003: 248) and served as the natural causeway to distinctive natural resources.
The Ecuadorian coastal plateau is a vast region of varied terrains. The lowland plains are often cut by hilly wrinkles that gradually rise as the western flanks of the Andes. Although there are some major regional differences, most of the coastal landscape was originally covered by a dense humid tropical forest. The northern and southernmost portions of the Pacific coastline host important mangrove swamps, while the center and more specifically the Santa Elena Peninsula are seasonally moderately arid. As one advances through the hinterland, the lush tropical vegetation grows denser, maximizing at the foothills of the Andes.
It is no wonder that the coastal lowlands became the perfect setting for a rich sequence of cultural development that expanded over 12,000 years. More than a dozen different cultural phases have been identified throughout this lapse, each with a distinct geographical culture area and its own cultural history (Figure 43.2). Social interactions were strong
And continuous among the coastal people, following both a north-south axis, as well as an intensive east-west direction.
The highlands can be described as a long chain of inter-montane valleys, stretched from north to south, flanked by the twin main branches of the Andes. The high plateaux consist of numerous broad dales limited by deep river basins that drain the uplands through the eastern and western slopes of the Andes. Transversal ranges that are formed by the intermittent narrowing of both cordilleras interlock the valleys. As a result, the plateaux contain individual natural units separated as a succession of chain links. Thus, the access from one valley to the other is actually restricted by a series of natural barriers that can be traversed through passes (known as cajas) that alternate in both north-south and east-west directions at various altitudes. In spite of being situated on both sides of the equator, the highlands enjoy a mild and seasonally wet climate. Culturally speaking, the Andean corridor has known a long sequence of at least twelve different social entities, each evolving independently in its respective valley, and developing a firm regional personality throughout its time.
Oriente is the generic name that best describes the Ecuadorian region that Lathrap (1970) denominated the “Upper Amazon” for adjacent Peru. It includes the steep slopes of the eastern cordillera and the tropical lowlands that, taken together, define the Amazon basin. There are important changes to be seen as one descends from close to 3,000 masl, to the lower flanks of the eastern cordillera. From the start, the tropical forest dominates the steep slopes, and as one goes down the first thousand meters the humidity rises sharply.
The cloud rain forest that covers this “ceja” is rich with a variety of trees, tangled vines, wide leafed undergrowth and orchids. Under 1,500 masl the temperature is hot and heavy with perpetual moisture set by the rain-evaporation-rain again sequence. Under 500 masl the vegetation cover is thicker and the forest grows taller with an impressive canopy that stretches endlessly on the lower plateaux. From this altitude downwards the rocky rapids that drained the slopes become calm and the waters are progressively navigable as the riv-erbanks get larger and the first meanders appear in the flat country. From an archaeological point of view, it is not surprising that this is the least known region of the country. So far, only a handful of cultural phases have been defined.
To summarize the geographical setting, the present political frontiers give Ecuador roughly the shape of a wide isosceles triangle, with the flat base set along the Pacific coast and the angular point oriented towards Amazonia. The three main regions are differentiated by altitude and climate. A balancing landscape pattern of hot lowlands-mild highlands-hot lowlands has set the ecological conditions that have fostered interaction since the early days of human occupation throughout the territory.
World History
