Guangala (100 a.C. – 800 d.C.)

This culture inhabited the Pacific shores, the inland hills in southern Manabí, and most of the peninsula of Santa Elena. The largest towns were built at the junture of rivers, there being also small villages scattered in the dry forest.

The Guangala technology is reflected on earth walls albarradas or ditches to collect the water from the seasonal rains for the purpose of irrigating the crops more continously.

Bahía ceramic artisanship is characterized by the manufacture of music instruments ornamented with anthropomorphous and zoomorphous motives. It also includes ocarinas (small wind instruments with finger holes and a mouthpiece) shaped like young women. Ocarinas were decorated with highly stylized and geometrical designs with polychrome painting and bas-relief. Other ornaments were obtained from the contrast between lusterless and polished surfaces.

Stone and shell ornaments such as nose pendants, necklaces and a set of different ornaments were of widespread use in this culture. Axes fish-hooks, and llipta-boxes were also made out of these materials.