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Interpretation of the shuar amazonian worldview through an anthropozoomorphic monolith from Wapula, Morona Santiago, Ecuador

Abstract:

This article is intended to introduce readers to the cognitive processes of potentially polytheistic theocratic structures and paradigms represented in the iconographic, iconological, and morpho-spatial characteristics of an andesite monolith from the archaeological site of Wapula (Morona Santiago, Ecuador). The piece, whose archaeological context is unknown but whose iconography is clearly Shuar, was selected in order to study the worldview of Wapula and the importance of the uwishin figure there. The study of these figures contributes to the valuation and preventative conservation of one of the most important pieces of cultural heritage in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Our analysis of allowed us to understand the Shuar worldview through the analysis of its features; this was amplified by a chemical-mineralogical analysis accomplished in the University Institute of Heritage Restoration, Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain).