Valdivian Phase 2 Rounded Palmer Stone. Made from course Volcanic stone. Deep incised anthropomorphic features covering the front. Measures 2.75" in height 1” in width.

Loma Alta, Ecuador Ca 2500 BC - 2200 BC.  Condition: Choice

Ex. Mann Collection, Va. Acquired in the 1970s

Similar examples published in Ancient Ecuador - Culture, Clay and Creativity 3000-300 B.C. Also appear at Casa del Alabado Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, Quito, Ecuador.

Palmers Stones represents the earliest known appearance of human figurines in the New World. The range from simple ground plaques (Phase 1) to elaborately carved representations in which the facial features are clearly indicated and hands are depicted as a feather or rake-like design. The stone prisms are turned into human effigies by low relief carving emphasizing  the eyes and hands. The progressive sequence of stone figurines are from the simple rectangular plaque, to plaques with a groove indicating the division between the legs, to the more detailed depiction of the human face and limbs (Phase 2).