VIII.

Intermediate Area

In lower Central America, Colombia, and Ecuador notable artistic and architectural styles also developed.

A.

Lower Central America

Well-executed, large-scale stone sculpture was carved in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In addition to statues of deities reflecting Mesoamerican influence, the Central American cultures made elaborately conceived ceremonial stone metates, or surfaces for grinding corn. Jade was made into celts, or ceremonial axes.

Metalwork, which was widely practiced, indicates the influence of northern South America. Among the finest examples are body ornaments made by the Veraguas culture of Panama and the Chiriqui culture of Costa Rica.

The boldly drawn and colored pottery of the Panamanian Coclé is strikingly similar in its dynamic rhythmic patterns to the modern molas, or reverse appliqués, sewn by the Kuna of San Blas. On the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica the Chorotega culture made the best examples of Central American polychromed effigy pots.

B.

Colombia

Few major architectural sites have been discovered in Colombia. The earliest and largest archaeological zone is San Augustín, an area covered with freestanding stone sculptures, many related to a feline cult. Underground tombs and temples were also built. At Tierradentro, deep richly painted shaft tombs were cut into the rock. The Caribbean site of Tairona has stone streets and stone foundations for circular houses.

Goldwork was the major Colombian art. The Calima, Quimbaya, Tairona, Tolima, Sinu, Darién, and Chibcha, or Muisca, all produced different regional styles of metalworking and developed particular shapes and iconographies. Reflecting the influence of Central Andean metallurgy, Colombian metalwork is, however, often more innovative in form and technique.

Pottery seldom reached the aesthetic level of metalworking except among cultures such as the Quimbaya, whose robust clay figurines and pots were the equal of their goldwork.

C.

Ecuador

Although fine metalwork was produced in Ecuador, high-quality ceramics were more commonly produced there than in Colombia. Scholars argue whether the earliest pottery in the western hemisphere was made at the Ecuadorian site of Valdivia (c. 3000 bc), or whether it was being produced at the Colombian north coast site of Puerto Hormiga at approximately the same time. Figurines and effigy pots were made by such cultures as the Chorrera, Guangala, Bahia, Jama-Coaque, La Tolita, Mantano, and Carchi.

Architectural and freestanding stone sculpture was rarely carved. The Mantano low reliefs at Cerro Jaboncillo are among the finest examples. Also from the Mantano period (ad 850-1500) are Manabi carved stools; these U-shaped seats borne by sculpted humans or animals are the most characteristic Ecuadorian stone artifacts.