TheMayo-Chinchipe orMayo-Chinchipe-Marañon culture existed from c. 5500 – 1700 BCE in the highlands of what is nowEcuador andPeru, along the eastern slopes of the Amazonian Andes.[1][2]
It extended from the sources of Valladolid river, in thePodocarpus National Park in Ecuador, to where Chinchipe flows into theMarañon River in the area ofBagua, Peru, and received its name from the river names.[3]
The best known Mayo-Chinchipe site isSanta Ana (La Florida), where a temple and ceremonial hearth have been found.[2]
Also atMontegrande, related ceremonial centers were found. In the same general area, inPalanda, Ecuador (just across the border with Peru), a tomb was found with stone and ceramic artifacts, as well as cacao and Spondylus shells. Another related site is San Isidro, in Peru, close toJaén (Jaén District), and in the same general area as Montegrande.
The culture is believed to have includedshamanism and other specialist work roles.[4] It used stone and pottery technologies, and consumedcacao and possibly corn beer.[5]
The Mayo-Chinchipe culture is considered one of the centres of origin ofagriculture.
The culture is believed to have traded plants with coastal cultures such as theValdivia.