Ruth Ordóñez, INPC Zone 6 Director, with newly identified petroglyphs in the Santiago de Méndez area. Courtesy.

Ancient Rock Carvings Uncovered in Ecuador Point to Shared Amazonian Cultural Traditions

Archaeologists have identified a panel containing approximately 30 ancient rock carvings in Santiago de Méndez canton, Morona Santiago province, marking a new discovery in Ecuador’s Amazonian archaeological record. Officials from the National Institute of Cultural Heritage (INPC) Zone 6 announced the find following field inspections conducted December 9-10, 2025. The petroglyphs were documented during routine