History
These communities were the first in Central Chile to produce ceramics. As they demonstrate a continuity with the stone tool making tradition and emphasis on hunting found in the previous Archaic Period, it is likely that it was these same groups that first began to make pottery and grow crops. Since they lived in relatively independent and quite distinct social units, however, they did not all use the same ceramic designs. Other evidence of their autonomy is found in the funerary practices described. Despite the scant information available, the differences between the two burials identified to date reinforce the idea that the groups were independent of one another. Around 200 CE, cultural changes that are still not well understood led to the emergence of the Bato and Llolleo societies, which would represent the Early Agro-ceramic period in Central Chile.