Ethnicity and adaptation: The late period of Cara occupation in the Sierra Norte of Ecuador

Abstract

This article explores how ethnicity functioned as an adaptation strategy for the Cara culture during the Late Period in the northern highlands of Ecuador, just before the Inca and Spanish conquests. Through the analysis of archaeological and historical evidence, it is argued that cultural distinctiveness and lack of admixture with neighboring cultures reflect a strong and autonomous ethnic identity. Following the theories of Hodder and Barth, it is proposed that ethnicity allowed the Caras to maintain their territorial and social integrity in a competitive regional environment, proving to be an efficient response to external challenges. This study suggests new avenues of research to understand social dynamics in prehistoric contexts.