Machalilla culture facts for kids
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Location of the Machalilla culture
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| Geographical range | Manabí |
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| Period | Archaic |
| Dates | c. 1500 - 1100 BCE |
| Preceded by | Valdivia culture |
| Followed by | Chorrera culture |
The Machalilla were an ancient group of people who lived in Ecuador a very long time ago. They lived in the southern part of the Manabí area and on the Santa Elena Peninsula. Scientists believe this culture was active between about 1500 BCE and 1100 BCE. This means they lived over 3,000 years ago!
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Machalilla Culture and Daily Life
The Machalilla people were mainly farmers. They grew their own food to survive. Besides farming, they also went fishing in the waters nearby. They were also hunters and gatherers, finding food from the wild.
Unique Skull Shapes
Like some other ancient groups in coastal Ecuador, the Machalilla practiced something called artificial cranial deformation. This means they would gently shape the skulls of babies. They used stones to make the skulls look flatter and longer. This was likely done for cultural or religious reasons.
Amazing Pottery and Art
Archaeologists are scientists who study ancient cultures. They find the Machalilla people's cemeteries very interesting. In these burial sites, bodies were often placed under a special ceramic turtle shell.
The Machalilla were also very skilled at making pottery. Their ceramic work showed great artistic and technological progress. They are famous for adding a special part to ceramic bottles called a stirrup spout. This is where two spouts join together into one opening. This invention became very popular in northwest South American pottery for hundreds of years.
Archaeologists have found many other ceramic items from Machalilla sites. These include pots, pitchers, whistles, candlesticks, and even human figures. These items help us understand their daily lives and beliefs.
When Did the Machalilla Live?
The exact time period when the Machalilla culture existed is a bit unclear. Some experts say they might have started as early as 1800 BCE. Others suggest they lasted until about 800 BCE.
One reason it's hard to know the exact dates is how their culture ended. Archaeologists Betty Meggers and Clifford Evans believe the Machalilla culture slowly changed. This happened because they had contact with people from Mesoamerica (an ancient region in Central America). Over time, the Machalilla culture blended into the Chorrera culture.
Machalilla Artifacts Today
You can still see examples of Machalilla artifacts today. The Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo UEES in Guayaquil, Ecuador, has a collection of these ancient objects.
See also
In Spanish: Cultura machalilla para niños
