CONCLUSION

The original space-time systematics for pre-Hispanic Ecuadorian cultures that established the Regional Developmental Period implied progressive stages that were strongly evolutionary. Several causal factors were cited for sociopolitical development, including competition, control of long distance trade and access to luxury items. Beyond this evolutionary structure, the initial basis for naming a diverse set of cultures were localized artistic styles or expressions, especially in the ceramic and metal arts but probably also including cloth, that emerged from the Late Formative Chorrera tradition. Today the original definitions seem confining, masking diversity among and within regions, emphasizing a developmental scheme based on cultural evolution that focused our attention on the emergence of social or material hierarchy. The complex range of localized patterns, styles and sequences of the Late Formative and Early Regional Developmental period societies of coastal Ecuador suggests politically independent systems in contact with each other but having unique social and material expressions. On the other hand, the original space-time organization proposed by Meggers (1966), in which a set of central and northern coast societies exhibited a unique set of traits that implied the formation of social hierarchies and rise of local elites utilizing symbols and materials of authority, is still generally accepted. The issue

Now becomes explaining the differences between areas. However, perhaps we can provide more sophisticated models for social systems in all the areas rather than dividing them into two groups based on the achievement, or failure to achieve, a hierarchical society. As has been expressed by a number of authors throughout the northern Andean area (e. g., Drennan 1996; Drennan and Uribe 1987), variations are more interesting than the commonalities. Such a change in focus will bring a greater appreciation of the complexities of subsequent, late pre-Hispanic societies in the region and their various paths through a world of social, natural and political forces.