Llama and alpacas in Ecuadorian prehistory

Abstract

This article examines the use of llamas and alpacas in Ecuadorian prehistory through the study of stone figurines found in the Otavalo region. These small representations, known as conopas, were sacred objects deeply revered by Andean societies, playing a crucial role in their religious and daily practices. Four llama and alpaca figurines are analyzed, made from various materials such as siliceous rock, orthoclase, and olivine. These pieces, which vary in size and detail, show the importance of these animals in the Andean worldview, not only as sources of wool and meat, but also as symbols of fertility and prosperity. In addition, it discusses how these figures were inherited from generation to generation, reinforcing their ritual character and their value as domestic guardians, comparable to the household gods of ancient Rome.