Ceramic stylistic traditions emerge during the Regional Developmental Period with a distinctive character in each region. One of the most prominent new stylistic features for the societies on the coast of Ecuador is in ceramic sculpture. Elaborate molded or modeled ceramic figurines adorned with applique decorations and multiple colors of slip or post-fired pigment portray individuals with all the attributes of high status personages (Cummins 1992; Valdez and Veintimilla 1992). These figures are commonly seated and wear elaborate attire (headdresses, bracelets, necklaces, nose rings, ear spools) and are adorned with or hold representations of agricultural products, drinking vessels, or spatulas and small bowls associated with use of coca. Variation in iconography and attributes in the figurine art has been used to assign different levels of sociopolitical complexity, identifying the growing importance of rank and social hierarchy in these societies (Valdez and Veintimilla 1992). Unfortunately however, we lack contextual information for the majority of these ceramic figurines.
Another development in ceramic arts is the predominance of a common set of bowls or plates on multiple legs or pedestals accompanied by a suite of hemispherical bowls. These forms suggest vessels for presentation and consumption, possibly related to feasting, but once again contextual information is rarely available. The period is also notable for a proliferation of small ceramic, shell or bone objects created in a myriad of animal and natural shapes including whistles, flutes and atlatl hooks in the shape of birds. Similar images were carved on ceramic spindle whorls and stamps. Ceramic “sel-los” or stamps also had their greatest florescence during the Regional Developmental Period in the Jama-Coaque region of northern Manabl and into Esmeraldas (Figure 25.1). Gold and copper metallurgy was also well established by this period particularly among the coast and littoral groups (Hosler 1994). Shell beads and pendants proliferated as well as evidence of their production in primarily non-specialized household contexts (Mas-ucci 1995). The high numbers of spindle whorls and textile impressions on ceramics are evidence of textile use and production but examples have not preserved sufficiently to appreciate their design and function.
Based on the degree of complexity in ceramic and metallurgical production it has been suggested that specialized craftsmen emerged during this period (Cummins 1992). This could be an additional element supporting models of the rise of an elite social class in coastal societies. Great emphasis is also given to the presence of earthen platform mound constructions. Based on ethnohistoric evidence as well as artifactual and structural remains these may have been bases for chiefly residences or for temple or ritual structures. Archaeologists do not agree, however, on the organization of production, need for craft specialists for production of the ceramic and metal objects, or identification of earthen platforms as elite structures. These different artifact and structural features, with settlement hierarchies and other lines of evidence do occur together in some of the coastal regions beginning at approximately 600 BC. A summary of data on these and the other primary regional styles of the coast is presented in order to evaluate the regional distribution and significance of the material remains.
World History
