Maquipucuna Ecological Reserve

Location: https://www.maquipucuna.org/

Season: April 1, 2025 to October 15, 2025

Session Dates: See brochure for more details.

Application Deadline: May 30, 2025

Deadline Type: Contact for Details

Website: https://www.maquipucuna.org/

Discount for AIA members: Yes

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Universidad Central, Quito Ecuador

Project Director:
Nicholas Ntovas

Project Description:

Participate in a groundbreaking excavation in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve!

Join the first-ever archaeological fieldwork in the Maquipucuna Biodiversity Reserve, the heart of the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve! This project seeks to explore and document the Yumbo culture (900–1660 AD), believed to have extended into Maquipucuna from the Tulipe Archaeological Site, just 10 km away.

Archaeological Site: A Pre-Columbian Water Civilization

Location: Northwestern Ecuador, in the cloud forests of Pichincha Province
Culture: Yumbo (900–1660 AD)

Main Features: Hydraulic pools, terraces, ceremonial platforms, ancient road networks

Overview

The Tulipe Archaeological Site is one of Ecuador’s most intriguing pre-Columbian settlements, believed to have been a ceremonial, economic, and hydraulic hub of the Yumbo culture. Situated in the subtropical cloud forests near Quito, the site is renowned for its unique water-based structures, including nine excavated stone pools, terraces, and an extensive system of pathways. These features suggest a sophisticated understanding of water management, astronomy, and sustainable living in a challenging environment.

Period(s) of Occupation: Yumbo culture 900–1660 AD Periods: Regional Development: 500 BC–500 AD Integration Period and the Arrival of the Incas: 500–1500 AD Spanish Conquest: Spanish arrived to Ecuador in 1530 AD

Notes:
Fieldwork Activities: Surveying the Site Remote sensing and GIS mapping Walking surveys and surface collection Excavation Procedures Grid layout and trenching techniques Stratigraphy analysis and recording Artifact retrieval and cataloging Recording and Documentation Field notes and daily logs Photogrammetry and 3D mapping Soil and feature analysis Post-Excavation Processing: Lab Work and Analysis Cleaning and conservation of artifacts Classification and interpretation Radiocarbon dating and material studies Data Management Digital archiving and databases Report writing and publication standards Final Reports & Presentations: Research Papers and Reports Fieldwork summary and preliminary conclusions Recommendations for future research Graduate Student Presentations Conference presentations and workshops Peer discussions and feedback

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 3 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No formal experience is required. A bachelor’s degree or students of archaeology, anthropology, or a related field is preferred. Basic skills in excavation, artifact recovery, and site documentation are helpful. Working knowledge of Spanish a plus.

Room and Board Arrangements:
What's Included: Airport lift Tour to the Historic Center of Quito Visit to the Museum of Alabado Quito Accommodations Transport to Maquipucuna Three (3) meals a day Maquipucuna Lodge Accommodations Boots and gear T-Shirts with Maquipucuna Logo University credits Guided tours to areas of interest including the Tulipe site and museum Get to know our partners at local communities Fiber-optics Wi-Fi and Starlink connection

Academic Credit:
Yes. 6-8 credits