Beachcombing
- Peter Stromberg
- Jan 15, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 26
Long before the Inca or the Spanish arrived in Ecuador there were many unique cultures and societies in different zones of the country…although history is often written by the victors, so their stories are less widely known. Specifically on the Northern Coast of Manabi were the people of the Jama Coaque culture. Their fingerprints are left on the beautiful pottery that they crafted. Some of the priceless artifacts date back as far as 2,000 years…ancient. Without even “googling” their story, it is apparent that they thrived in this environment from the sheer quantity of ceramic shards that you find washing up on the beach to this day. Ceramic whistles that still whistle, faces with deep eyes, pierced ears and noses. Pictographs of pelicans, jaguars and shards from jugs and pots can all still be found strewn about on the sand amongst the unsuspecting seashells….it’s hard to believe the quantity of treasures that can be found. Buckets of it.
