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Massive offerings of marine fish at Salango, coastal Ecuador, during the Middle Guangala phase (AD 300–600)

Abstract:

The Ecuadorian site of Salango, with its 5500 years of pre-Columbian history, is of fundamental interest for understanding the relationships between people and the sea on the tropical Pacific coast of South America. In 2015, thousands of fish remains were found in foundational offering deposits of a perimeter wall built to protect a sanctuary of the Middle Guangala phase (AD 300–600). Approximately 3300 bones have been identified, and these represent the remains of 337 individuals belonging to 49 different species. The assemblage is largely dominated by pelagic species, particularly scombrids weighing 2–3 kg. The presence of dolphinfish, a taxon that has not been reported previously in the archaeological record of Salango, supports the hypothesis that fishing was mainly conducted offshore by boat. The preservation in situ of numerous anatomical connections and the large number of remains found virtually intact suggest that these fish were deposited whole. We suggest that these deposits were designed to represent the specific marine environment being exploited from Salango and, more broadly, the sea itself. In this respect, Salango presents an unusual manifestation of pre-Columbian sea-oriented ritual practice so far unique on the Ecuadorian coast.