From the collection of Museo de Antropologia, Banco Central del Ecuador, Guyaquil GA-1-2267-82
Photo © Finnin/AMNH

The elite of coastal Ecuador's Jama-Coaque culture (500 B.C. - A.D. 500) elaborately decorated their bodies to display their social status. This figure holds a seed bag and digging stick. He wears a large turquoise labret through his lip and turquoise studs in his nose. His headdress and poncho are decorated with conch shells.