Ecuador is the site of the oldest known remains of ceramics and pottery in the Americas.
Valdivia, the ancient culture of Ecuador coast, dates back to 3500 B.C. In Valdivia, female representations of fertility, known as Venuses were a common theme of the ceramicists that is said, to have some relation with figurines of the Jomon period in Japan.
The Ecuadorian liberal arts date back to 3500 B.C., when Valdivia's Venuses were born. With the Spaniards arrival, the Europe aesthetic concept was blended with the aborigines' skills making a specific fusion that gave birth to a rich style known as "Escuela Quitena" (Quito School). After the independence from Spain in 1809, social values were increasingly nurtured.
This tendency reached its maximum expression when the most contemporary Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamin won the Grand Prize at the Barcelona Biennial in 1955.
Ecuadorian food is as varied as the topography of the country. On the coast, seafood and bananas (more than 40 different types) is the most important ingredient.
Deep fried bananas are a common dish, and can be prepared by using a variety of bananas, different from the ones available in Japan.
In Andes, potatoes, corn, and rice are the staple foods. Delicious tropical fruits are also available all over the country.
