Welcome to the exhibition hall where you can explore prehistoric dwellings and the old architecture of the Ecuadorian region.

The audio commentary you are listening to is a continuous explanation of this exhibit. So, please use the play and pause functions to pace yourself at your pleasure.

Let's start the tour by taking the right path at the fork in the road directly in front of you.

A Shuar residence: a Shuar dwelling is a wooden building made of bamboo and chonta or ampakai wood. The dwelling is divided into two spaces. The first is for women and their social activities. In this space, traditional Shuar items such as necklaces and clothing are displayed. The second space is for the men and their guests. 

Now, let's go outside, turn left, and then right to the Mountain Dwellings exhibit.

Rectangular mountain dwellings: The fusion of Andean and Spanish cultures during the Spanish colonial period led to changes in the architectural characteristics of houses. This dwelling is divided into zones for different purposes, such as the kitchen, bedrooms, fire pits, and social areas; and displays the objects common to each, such as vessels and tools used to prepare food in the kitchen.

Now let's move to the exhibit directly opposite.

Bohio (Boio): This dwelling was built using the main building materials of the pre-Hispanic Spanish colonial period. The construction technique, called baareque, entails utilizing black mud, indigenous wood, and other materials. Inside, you'll find farming equipment, musical instruments made from various materials, traditional crafts, and more.

Now let's head outside and follow the path to the left.

Riverine dwellings: This form of dwelling is usually found near rivers. Typically, palm leaves are used for roofs and bamboo for walls. The structure itself is raised on silts to avoid rain and flooding. Moreover, to secure livestock and to prevent rain or flooding from destroying the items in the living areas, a fence-like space occupies the lower part of the structure. 

Inside the museum, various specialties, musical instruments, etc. of the Montubios culture are on display. Don't miss the straw hats and fisherman's costumes.

Now that you've had a chance to see some of the old architectural forms and dwellings of the Ecuadorian region, we hope you'll consider visiting the railroad museum, beer museum and cacao museum nearby. Thank you.


III. Railroad Museum