The Mayo-Chinchipe or Mayo-Chinchipe-Marañon culture existed from c. 5500 – 1700 BCE in the highlands of what is now Ecuador and Peru, along the eastern slopes of the Amazonian Andes.
Also at Montegrande, related ceremonial centers were found. In the same general area, in Palanda Canton, 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 to Jaén (Jaen District), and in the same general area as Montegrande.
The culture is believed to have included shamanism and other specialist work roles. It used stone and pottery technologies, and consumed Cocoa bean and possibly corn beer.
The Mayo-Chinchipe culture is considered one of the centres of origin of agriculture.
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