Proceedings of 

 the United States 

 National Museum 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION • WASHINGTON, D.C. 



Volume 115 



1964 



Number 3492 



THE JAMBELI CULTURE OF SOUTH COASTAL ECUADOR 



By Emilio Estrada, Betty J. Meggers, and Clifford Evans 



This brief report is the result of fieldwork from 1958 to 1961 in 

 the mangrove swamps and salitres of the southern Ecuadorian coast. 

 The survey of the JambeK islands was undertaken during the summer 

 of 1958 by Estrada, Meggers, and Evans. In 1960, Estrada tested 

 stratigraphically a site, identified as G-84, within the present town of 

 Posorja, Early in 1961, he made a preliminary survey of the salitres 

 of Lagarto and El Morro. During the summer of that year, the 

 three authors revisited this area and the sites on the southeastern 

 coast of Puna Island. The strata cut at G-86 was also part of the 

 final season's work. All the pottery was classified at the Museo 

 Victor Emilio Estrada, and notes taken there are the basis for the 

 type descriptions. Except for type samples of sherds, all pottery and 

 other artifacts were deposited in the Museo Estrada. 



Most of the area occupied by the Jambeli Phase sites is not under 

 private ownership, but we wish to express our appreciation to the 

 many local residents for their guidance and assistance with excavation. 

 Particular thanks are due Jorge Swett, who secured permission for us 

 to investigate G-86, one of three sites that has sufficient depth for 

 stratigraphic excavation. In Guayaquil, Walter Molina assisted in 

 processing the sherds for analysis. In Washington, we are indebted 



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