Guayasamín Park of Cultures
Archaeological Site
The large complex that comprises the Guayasamin Foundation holds a number of surprises for its visitors. One of these extraordinary wonders is the Archaeological Site Z3B3-090 discovered on March 10, 1999, the same day of Guayasamin's death, during the different works that were carried out for the construction of the Chapel of Man.
This archaeological find, made up of 13 pre-Inca tombs, demonstrated the presence of human groups on the Loma de Guangüiltagua or "Loma de las Cuatro Aguas" - due to its slopes - at least 1,000 years old.
Excavation area
According to Valentina Martinez in her study carried out in 2001 in conjunction with Florida Atlantic University, this site was sectored, divided by a trench of natural origin, used as a waste area. To the south, tombs and offering pits were found, and to the north, the residential area. Five pits of 0.50 to 1.50 m deep were excavated with offerings of globular pots, compoteras and pitchers, some vessels containing charred corn, fragments of tusas and wild seeds. The spatial distribution and number of these graves are evidence of rituals carried out periodically. Two rectangular tombs were defined, one of them with a lateral chamber, presents primary burials in a flexed position with two and three containers per tomb, the depth ranges from 0.45 to 0.85 m below the surface.
The Guayasamin Foundation carried out the relevant studies in conjunction with The Florida Atlantic University and worked together with SEK University to open this space to the public.
Other cultures in this space
A replica of a Mummy of the Chinchorro Culture, donated by the Chilean Embassy, records a great culture that developed in northern Chile more than 3,000 years ago, establishing its nucleus in the current city of Arica.
A replica of an Atlantean from Tula, donated by the Mexican Government, is evidence of the establishment of the first people in northern Mesoamerica - "the Toltecs" - from whom the Aztecs declared themselves descendants.
A replica of Stela 5 from the Tikal archaeological site, donated by the Guatemalan government, which shows the past glory of the Mayan Civilization. A Guatemalan site declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
In addition to other archaeological pieces that belonged to the personal collection of Oswaldo Guayasamin, among them several "Manteño-Huancavilcas" chairs, a culture belonging to the Period of Integration of the Ecuadorian Coast and large containers in the shape of a bottle intended for the storage of liquids and that also served to preserve food.