Location

History of LUNA RUNTUN

The first settlers to populate Baños surely were the men of Lagoa Santa (Portuguese for Holy Lake) in Brazil. Being adventurous they infiltrated the basin of the Pastaza River and pressed on until they made it to the place now known as Baños de Agua Santa, or City of Holy Water Baths. The evidence found in the Caves of San Pedro, Runtun and Machay, respectively, announce their presence. Remains found in 1919 (44 skulls, stone and clay appliances) that today can be found at the Catholic University's archaeological museum in Quito.

A group of Spanish nobles, along with a contingent of soldiers, and accompanied by Huambaloes natives came to Baños in search of the silver mines discovered in the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano. During this trip, the Spanish spoke of an ethnic group, the Puruhá nation, who talked their own language, and who were also incorporated among various chiefdoms, the circumstances of which could explain the differing styles and form of their ceramics.

This ethnic group, the Puruhá, established itself in the windy and cold valleys at the center of the Ecuadorian inter-Andean mountain range. They were in Baños ,or "Ipo" as it is known in Puruhá. They cultivated rope; which constituted their main trading product. Having access to warm-climate valleys, they produced goods that were in great demand, such as cotton, chili, and coca leaf.

In Guano, located in the Chimborazo province, rooms have been discovered which evince a peculiar structure referred to as a "hive," due to the successive and compact group of different divisions that surround the main nucleus. Other discoveries include extensive cemeteries with bracelet-like copper objects, tumis (knives intended for sacrifices) and tupus (brooches made of rope).

The ceramics of this culture valued three styles and different traditions that, up to now, no one has been capable of organizing in chronological or spatial order, not only by the alignment of decorative traits and forms on their vessels: Elempata, Huavalac and San Sebastián /Guano. Frequently the vessels are decorated with very schematized faces dominated by a long nose, wide apart eyes, a tight mouth and handles that resemble earring-like ears; occasionally they resemble arms and hands in a state of offering. The painted-on designs are realized in a negative "painting technique for ceramics," (in which the designs are black on red for the ceramics) and they include geometric patterns in which diamonds and the spirals predominate. From time to time containers adopt the form of a human head. Notable, too, are tripod vessels with feet that are either in the form of leaning "leaf rope," or are shaped by two rolls of ceramics that unite at the tip. In addition there are "bowls": pots or dishes on pedestals.

Integration Period (400 AD to 1532 AD)

Puruhán culture lies within this era of integration, from 400 to 1532 AD. In this period chiefdoms, or ethnic strongholds, in the Ecuadorian region developed that were also known as confederations or headquarters, and which made long-distance commerce the basis of their economy. The chieftainship was based on recognition of the rank of individuals and lineages with territorial influence. A governing functionary, known as the Hatun Kuraka, the highest ranked in the whole sociopolitical infrastructure, largely due to a diverse and productive output, in the context of access or control of varied merchandise and services. These nobles employed full-time specialists in long-distance trading.

Through being established in a strategic location, between the Andes and the Amazon, Puruhá culture managed actual markets, or trading centers, known as Mindaláes, where they marketed products from neighboring regions as well as sold prestigious merchandise of more distant origins, such as Quito, Otavalo, Atacames, Guapondelig, Tomebamba, etc. Axes, used as currency in the coast, and "carato" (seeds used for decorative purposes) in the sierra region, and especially, in the Amazon, were goods whose symbolic features served both the standard and general exchange of merchandise.

The end of this period (1465-1532 AD) results in the conquest of the entire Ecuadorian mountain range, partly due to Incan troops and its integration into the Cusqueño Empire.

The Tambos were hostels, hotels or resting places for travelers that ventured from the Andes to the Amazon, or from the Amazon toward the Andes. They were found in such key spots as the high points of mountains in order to observe the crossings of merchants and on certain occasions to monitor the crossing or arrival of enemies. Such it is the case with the Inn of LUNA RUNTUN, Adventure SPA, discovered in June 2005 and which now imparts the history of such an important pre-Incan people.

References:
. Baños Municipal Illustrated Library
. B.C.E Virtual Library Museum

LUNA RUNTUN, Adventure SPA location (Google Earth kmz file)

Traveling from Quito to LUNA RUNTUN, Adventure SPA (Google Earth kmz file)

 

TRANSPORTATION

Transfer privado (1 - 2 personas)

From/to	LUNA RUNTUN, Adventure SPA
Ambato	$  40.00
Cuenca	$ 290.00
Guayaquil	$ 250.00
Otavalo	$ 208.00
Puyo	$ 70.00
Quito	$ 125.00
Riobamba	$  83.00

Nota: para más pasajeros, cotizamos a la medida

HOW TO REACH LUNA RUNTUN, Adventure SPA FROM QUITO AIRPORT ? Google Earth

Quito Airport  (from the rental cars)
Turn left
Go straight along “Avenida de la Prensa” and  the “Avenida 10 de Agosto”
You will pass by the following Trolebús stations and signboards

1. Parada La Concepción
2. Green signboards “La Y – 10 de Agosto”
3. Parada Edmundo Carvajal
4. Parada La Y
5. Crossroads Naciones Unidas y 10 de Agosto (go straight)
6. Parada Estadio Atahualpa
7. Parada Carolina
8. Parada Floron

Turn left over the bridge direction 12 de Octubre – Orellana / Av. Oriental / Chillos
Go straight till the “Avenida 12 de Octubre”
Follow the signboards:         
Av. Oriental – Los Chillos
Trebol / Centro de Quito
Sangolqui (turn to the right just after the curve)
Sangolqui / San Rafael
Autopista General Ruminahui
Sangolquí
Colibrí
Amaguaña
Aloag
Lasso
Latacunga
Salcedo
Ambato
Take the “Paso Lateral” at the entrance of Ambato (Parque Industrial)
Follow the signboard “Baños – Puyo”
Salasaca
Pelileo
Baños
Follow the signboards of LUNA RUNTUN, Adventure SPA

200 km. – aprox. 210 minutes drive