The cold, high mountains on the present-day border between Colombia and Ecuador were inhabited by groups of farmers, herders, and hunters from the fifth century CE. They took advantage of the variety of different climates at different altitudes to grow a multitude of products, in addition trading with Pacific coastal and Amazonian communities for shells, gold, feathers, and more. 
  
High status individuals were buried in deep shaft tombs, alongside modeled and painted ceramics, such as the footed bowls in this case, and unique metalworks with contrasting textures and colors (see image below).