Pensamiento antropológico ecuatoriano: precursores, subdisciplinas investigadas y estudios de la identidad

This study analyzes the evolution of Ecuadorian anthropological thought to understand the geo-ecological, ethnic, regional, and political diversity that shaped the formation of the Nation-State. A qualitative, documentary, and diachronic methodology was applied, focusing on a critical and historiographical review of key authors. The contributions of Enlightenment, Romantic, Positivist, Indigenist, and Diffusionist precursors were examined, alongside the development of subdisciplines such as ethnohistory, urban anthropology, and archaeology, as well as studies on symbolic worldview and identity. Key results indicate that Ecuadorian anthropology was initially structured through foreign scholars and non-professional local intellectuals. The findings demonstrate a gradual shift from 19th-century identity-building efforts toward processual frameworks, social archaeology, and urban dynamics, while highlighting significant gaps in intangible heritage research—such as ancestral languages and pre-Columbian textiles—and a historically unstable and insufficient academic offering in higher education. As a preliminary conclusion, the trajectory of anthropological thought in Ecuador shows a steady departure from outdated deterministic paradigms and historical inaccuracies. Therefore, strengthening specialized public university programs and promoting comprehensive sociocultural expertise are essential steps to safeguard cultural memory and heritage against globalization and looting