How about stepping a few thousand years back in time? Back to a time when people occupied their time creating wonderful handicrafts, instead of watching TV or complaining about traffic. The Anthropological and Contemporary Art Museum (MAAC) now takes you back to pre-Hispanic Ecuador with its new permanent exhibit at the Sala de Arte Prehispánico (Pre-Hispanic Arts Room). In this exhibit you will take a look at the first cultures that were established in the coastal area of what is now Ecuador.

The exhibit opened just in time to commemorate Emilio Estrada's important discovery fifty years ago. His purpose was to "build the spine of the prehistoric chronology of the (Ecuadorian) coast". And so he did. Along with archeologist Betty Meggers from the Smithsonian Institute in Wahington D.C., and after 200 excavations, he began to uncover one by one the different cultures that emerged in the coastal area. As he studied these cultures, in 1957 he decided to classify them by different eras or periods: Early Formative (2000 B.C.), Late Formative (1000 B.C.), Regional Development (1 A.C.), and Integration period (1000 A.C.)

Your journey begins in the year 3200 B.C., as the first known culture in Latin America begins to bloom: the Valdivia Culture. As you step into the exhibit, you will be immediately captivated by an incredible collection of Valdivia Venuses. These are ceramic pieces that were utilized during fertility rituals and are the most representative of this ancient culture, as they are the most abundant. Since this is the first culture that appeared on the coast, it belongs to the Early Formative period.

Continue to the next case, you will find an array of colorful ceramic pots and jars. These belong to several different cultures, such as the La Tolita, Jambeli, Milagro Quevedo, as well as to the Valdivia Culure. At a first glance, it may seem that all these pieces were elaborated by the same culture, yet if you look closer, you will find that the colors used vary among cultures. Estrada and the other archeologists used the coloring of a piece as a way to classify it.

Colors don't only change among cultures, but they also vary within a culture. You can appreciate this by looking at the color of Valdivia ceramic pieces of different time periods. The colors vary from one phase to another (the Valdivia Culture is classified in four different phases or time periods), emphasizing the use of the color red. It is interesting to take note of this as you go from one display case to another.

As you continue through the exhibit you will see other types of ceramic objects. For example, when you look at the Bahia and Chorrera display you will find anthropomorphic and zoomorphic objects. These will definitely catch your eye! Also, you will find other fascinating objects from the Guangala, Manteña, and Jama-Coaque cultures, such as cylindrical stamps with beautiful designs.

Last but not least, you will see a case of different books and notes that belonged to Emilio Estrada. He wrote many acclaimed books about the ancient cultures of Ecuador.

Don't miss the chance to visit this interesting new exhibit Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 10am to 6pm and Sundays and holidays from 10am to 4pm. Tickets are $1,50 for general audiences and $0,50 for students and senior citizens (Sundays free).

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