Brief historical synthesis, and reflections on ethnic continuity, sense of ethnicity and cultural identity in Santa Elena, Ecuador

Abstract

This paper presents a brief summary of the pre-Hispanic and colonial history of the Santa Elena region, from the first arrival of human groups in the area until the early days of the new Republic of Ecuador. By giving narrative body to a series of data dispersed product of archaeological research, and historical documentaries, made in the region since early last century actually. Based on them then arises a necessary and relevant reflection on issues such as ethnic continuity, ethnicities, culture and identity of the current human groups, descendants of the previous, now inhabit, also raising the importance this has in ongoing processes, and those potential to undertake, for the advancement and local socio-economic development through New tourism or innovation tourism.