According to the archeological evidence, the ceramics assigned to the Panzaleo originated in the Cosanga area, in the tributaries of the eastern mountain range of the Amazon region. From there commercial activity of the Panzaleo spread along the central and northern sierra, particularly in the provinces of Chimborazo, Tungurahua, Cotopaxi and Pichincha, although it is also found to have existed in Imbabura and Carchi. Panzaleo ceramics adapted to the potters’ traditions and the clay types in each of these areas.
Round-shaped vessels were an important part of Panzaleo ceramics. The most well made generally accompany the funerary trousseau. The artists who made them achieved a notable development in the materials used and in the technological process. They applied the mica as a medium to accomplish very thin walls in their containers.
Some of the decorated vessels in human form depict strongly built men dressed in ponchos, loincloths and body adornments. Others appear nude, or only as heads. These are decorated in one of three ways: with negative paint; with white and red painted over a whitish surface; and in white and black without a white background.
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