Museo Sitio La Florida

Deep beneath the bustling streets of Quito, Museo Sitio La Florida whispers tales of a civilization lost to time. Here, on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, lies a pre-Hispanic necropolis. Museo Sitio La Florida offers a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of the Quitu people. The museum sits on a small portion of this ancient burial ground. The larger site sprawls beneath the modern city. Museo Sitio La Florida displays dioramas of bodies in fetal positions, adorned with spondylus shell beads. These recreations mirror how the original skeletons were discovered within deep shaft tombs, some plunging as far as 16 meters. These tombs, dating from 600 to 1500 AD, speak of a complex society. The presence of spondylus shells, originating from the Ecuadorian coast, hints at extensive trade networks. Museo Sitio La Florida also houses artifacts like ceramics and textiles, further illuminating the culture of the Quitu. The deep shaft tombs, rich with offerings of animals, gold, copper, and ceramics, likely belonged to the elite. Simpler, shallower graves found nearby suggest a tiered social structure. The construction of the tombs themselves is remarkable. Marks on the walls indicate the use of pointed wooden sticks and hand axes to carve into the cangahua soil. Imagine the effort required to create these elaborate burial chambers. Museo Sitio La Florida offers a unique opportunity to connect with Quito’s ancient past. It’s a journey through time, revealing the rituals and beliefs of a people who once called this volcano’s slopes their home.