Home Region:  Amazonia (South America and Caribbean)

Shuar - Ecuadorian

1831 CE 1931 CE
D G SC WF RG EQ 2020  ec_shuar_2 / EcJivaL
Preceding Entity: Add one more here.
1534 CE 1830 CE Shuar - Colonial (ec_shuar_1)    [continuity]

Succeeding Entity:
No Polity found. Add one here.


  General Description   The forested foothills of the Andes, near the border between Ecuador and Peru, have long been inhabited by the Shuar, subsistence horticulturalists living in autonomous residential hamlets. There are many Shuar groups, but here we focus specifically on the Ecuadorian group commonly known simply as ’Shuar’. Europeans - specifically, Spaniards - first encountered the Shuar in the 16th century and soon imposed tributes, which the Shuar paid, in increasing amounts, until they rebelled in 1599, driving the Spanish out of the region. Indeed, the Shuar were able to ward off outside interference up until 1930, just as they were able to avoid being subjugated by the Inca. In 1930, Catholic missionaries persuaded the Ecuadorian government to provide a reservation for the Shuar. [1]
Population and political organization
Authority among the Shuar was mostly informal and local, and resided in men referred to as unyä (’big’ or ’old’ men) or kakaram (’powerful ones’). These were usually renowned warriors or shamans, but they in fact acquired their reputation by being old enough to have grandchildren, as well as through their friendliness, honesty and generosity in dealing with others. The unyä or kakaram were believed to be able to curse to death anyone who angered them. [1]
The scholarly literature does not provide population estimates, even for the more recent period. Indeed, writing in the 1920s, the ethnographer Fritz W. Up de Graff declared that obtaining accurate statistics relating to the Shuar was an ’impossible task’ due to their migratory habits and commitment to concealing their true numbers from potential enemies. [2]

[1]: (Beierle 2006) Beierle, John. 2006. “Culture Summary: Jivaro.” eHRAF World Cultures. http://ehrafworldcultures.yale.edu/document?id=sd09-000. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/NDIQCQZP.

[2]: (Up de Graff 1923, 192-93) Up de Graff, Fritz W. 1923. Head Hunters of the Amazon: Seven Years of Exploration and Adventure. London: H. Jenkins. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/XD3S3HVP.

General Variables
Identity and Location
Temporal Bounds
Political and Cultural Relations
Language
Religion
Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale
Hierarchical Complexity
Professions
Bureaucracy Characteristics
Law
Specialized Buildings: polity owned
Transport Infrastructure
Special-purpose Sites
Information / Writing System
Information / Kinds of Written Documents
Information / Money
Information / Postal System
Information / Measurement System
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications
Military use of Metals
Projectiles
Handheld weapons
Animals used in warfare
Armor
Naval technology
Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.
Crisis Consequences Coding in Progress.
Power Transitions Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2) was in:
 (1831 CE 1931 CE)   Lowland Andes
Home NGA: Lowland Andes
General Variables
Identity and Location Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Utm Zone 18 M Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Original Name Shuar - Late Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Capital None (Absent Capital) Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Shuar Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Achuara Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Aguaruna Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Huambisa Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Mayna Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Chívari Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Chiwaro Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Gíbari Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Givari Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Gívaro Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Híbaro Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Jibaro Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Jívara Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Jívira Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Síwaro Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Xívari Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Xivaro Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Alternative Name Zíbaro Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Temporal Bounds Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Duration [1831 CE ➜ 1931 CE] Confident
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Political and Cultural Relations Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Suprapolity Relations none Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Supracultural Entity Amazonia Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Succeeding Entity Republic of Ecuador Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Scale of Supracultural Interaction 5,500,000 km2 Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Relationship to Preceding Entity continuity Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Preceding Entity
1534 CE 1830 CE
Shuar - Colonial (ec_shuar_1)   [continuity]  Confident
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Degree of Centralization quasi-polity Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Language Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Linguistic Family Chicham Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Language Shuar Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Religion Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Population of the Largest Settlement 300 people Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Polity Territory - Undecided 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Polity Population - Undecided 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Largest Communication Distance - Undecided 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Hierarchical Complexity Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Settlement Hierarchy 1 Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Religious Level [1 to 2] Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Military Level 3 Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Administrative Level [1 to 2] Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Professions Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Soldier Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Professional Priesthood Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Professional Military Officer Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Bureaucracy Characteristics Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Government Building Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Merit Promotion Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Full Time Bureaucrat Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Examination System Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Law Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Lawyer Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Judge Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
Court Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Specialized Buildings: polity owned Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Market Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Irrigation System Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Food Storage Site Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Drinking Water Supply System Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Transport Infrastructure Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Road Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Port Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Canal Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Bridge Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Special-purpose Sites Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Mines or Quarry Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Information / Writing System Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Written Record Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Script Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Phonetic Alphabetic Writing Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Nonwritten Record Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Mnemonic Device Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Information / Kinds of Written Documents Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
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Scientific Literature Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Sacred Text Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Religious Literature Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Practical Literature Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Philosophy Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Lists Tables and Classification Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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History Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Fiction Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Calendar Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Information / Money Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Token Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Precious Metal Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Paper Currency Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Indigenous Coin Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Foreign Coin Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Article Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Information / Postal System Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Postal Station Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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General Postal Service Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Courier Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Fastest Individual Communication - Undecided 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Information / Measurement System Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Weight Measurement System Uncoded Undecided 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Volume Measurement System Uncoded Undecided 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Length Measurement System Uncoded Undecided 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Area Measurement System Uncoded Undecided 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Stone Walls Non Mortared Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Stone Walls Mortared Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Settlements in a Defensive Position Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Modern Fortification Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Moat Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Fortified Camp Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Earth Rampart Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Ditch Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Complex Fortification Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Long Wall absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Military use of Metals Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Steel Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Iron Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Copper Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Bronze Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Projectiles Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Tension Siege Engine Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Sling Siege Engine Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Sling Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Self Bow Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Javelin Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Handheld Firearm Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Gunpowder Siege Artillery Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Crossbow Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Composite Bow Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Atlatl Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Handheld weapons Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
War Club Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Sword Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Spear Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Polearm Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Dagger Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Battle Axe Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Animals used in warfare Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Horse Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Elephant Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Donkey Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Dog Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Camel Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Armor Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Wood Bark Etc Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Shield Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Scaled Armor Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Plate Armor Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Limb Protection Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Leather Cloth Unknown Suspected 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Laminar Armor Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Helmet Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Chainmail Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Breastplate Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Naval technology Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Military Vessel Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Small Vessels Canoes Etc Present Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
Variable Coded Value Tags Year(s) See More
Moralizing Enforcement is Broad Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Concern is Primary Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Agentic Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement in This Life Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Punishment And Reward Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Commoners Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Targeted Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement in Afterlife Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Elites Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement of Rulers Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Certain Absent Confident 1831 CE  1931 CE
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Human Sacrifice Shuar - Ecuadorian (ec_shuar_2)
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Crisis Cases
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Instability Data
Power Transitions
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