This section presents data on the possible foods that were consumed on the Quito plateau. The archaeobotanical data were obtained mainly by identifying starches and phytoliths, while the zooarchaeological remains were obtained from middens that had faunal remains. Examples of these analyzes in Ecuador, and specifically in the Quito plateau, were carried out by archaeologists such as Pagán-Jiménez (2015), Ugalde and Dyrdahl (2021), and Zarrillo (2012) [7,21,35]. In summary, this section has been elaborated with references from zooarchaeology and paleobotanical research or studies referring to this type of research.

In the Preceramic period, it has been shown that the inhabitants of the El Inga site had a hunter–gatherer diet. Wild plants and local fauna were consumed. In the middle and late Preceramic periods, it is possible to find corn (Zea mays), chili (Capsicum annuum), amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), and pumpkins (Cucurbitaficifolia) [47]. In Rancho Bajo, the presence of corn (Zea mays), oca (Oxalis tuberosa), melloco (Ullucus tuberosus), mashwa (Tropaeolum tuberosum), and species of bean (Phaseolus sp.) has been found [9]. According to Athens et al., (2016) and Van der Hammen, Noldus, and Salazar (2003), around 5000 BC the human groups of the Preceramic period begin their processes of the domestication of plants. These data have been obtained from sites in Mullumica-Pifo (which is a parish that is located at in the northeast of the Metropolitan District of Quito) and El Lago San Pablo (a lake in the province of Imbabura-Ecuador) and would be consistent with the Inga sites since they are from periods contemporary [22,48].

In the Formative period, with the appearance of polished stone and ceramic artifacts, hand grinders (lithic tools for grinding food), mills, and utensils for storing, conserving, and transporting liquid and solid food, as well as carved stones, were in use, while the practice of hunting animals for meat continued [24]. Data from Idrovo (2002) suggest the possible diet in the Ecuadorian Sierra during the Formative period. This included corn (Zea mays), potato (Solanum tuberosum), chocho (Lupinus mutabilis), chili (Capsicum annuum), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), oca (Oxalis tuberosa), and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) in the temperate highlands, and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), cherimoya (Annona cherimola), guaba (Inga edulis), avocado (Persea americana), and cotton (Gossypium) in the valleys [49]. In Cotocollao, there is evidence of llama (Lama glama), guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), deer (Odocoileus virginianus), guanta (Cuniculus paca), puma (Felis concolor), rabbit (Sylvilagus brasiliensis), weasels (Mustela spp.), turtles (Kinosternon spp.), and various bird and reptile species. These would all have been part of the diet of the settlers. It should be noted that the consumption of animals may have been sporadic and dependent on their availability at the time of hunting. Cultivation was very important for this culture, allowing for the efficient production of cereals, legumes, and tubers, including maize (Zea mays), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), áchira (Canna indica), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), potato (Solanum tuberosum), and oca (Oxalis tuberosa), while eggs and giant snails (churos) were gathered and ichthyofauna were fished from the surrounding lagoons. The strategic location of the sites also allowed for the exchange of products with other regions, mainly obsidian and cotton, and food products such as chili (Capsicum annuum) and salt [7,24,34]. Other animals that have been identified in Cotocollao include opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), moor wolf (Dusicyon spp.), mouse (Sigmodon spp.), and turtledove (Columbina spp.). It seems that the settlements of Tababela and Toctiuco enjoyed the same diet as those of Cotocollao, but with a large number of llama (Lama glama) and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) remains [34].

For the Regional Development period, similar archeological artifacts have been found at the Jardín del Este site, as well as other settlements on the plateau. Evidence of food has also been found by some inhabitants who remained in Cumbayá and different sectors of the Quito plateau after the gradual recovery of the ecosystem, indicating that these sites were occupied by inhabitants of the same ethnic group, who used similar food utensils. Compoteras, hemispherical plates, pitchers, and vases have been found, together with elongated, globular, tripod, and zapatiformes (asymmetrical shoe-shaped) pots [10,36,50]. There is little food analysis research for the Regional Development period. According to Iturralde (2015), coca leaf (Erythroxylum coca) also has been found. Based on their research, the main crops of the inhabitants of that period were maize (Zea mays), beans (Vicia faba), and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). In Jardín del Este (Cumbayá), the remains of guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), rabbit (Sylvilagus brasiliensis), deer (Odocoileus virginianus), dog (Canis familiaris), several birds, guanta (Cuniculus paca), skunk (Conepatus spp.), and camelids of different species (mainly llama) have been found [36].

During the Intergration period, gradually improving climatic conditions and agricultural techniques increased the number of inhabitants [51]. Molestina (2006) has stated that, in Quito, the lake areas formed small swamps, mainly in the current area of La Y, the old airport, and the Jipijapa neighborhood. These clay, silt, sand, and pumice swamps formed the ancient lagoon of Iñaquito, allowing for populations of fish, birds, and totora to grow [39]. The area was also a source of hematite and saw the beginning of agriculture in the form of camellones, which is an agricultural technique called waru waru in Quechua where earth platforms are built in parallel rows that are separated by water channels. This farming technique is considered to be the oldest in South America [41,52]. Ducks (Cairina moschata), herons (Ciconiiformes), and other birds (which were possibly hunted) have also been reported in the Iñaquito lagoon, and their eggs were used as food. Rabbits have also been found. In Rumicucho and El Quinche, the remains of llamas (Lama glama), guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and Muscovy (or creole) ducks (Cairina moschata) have been found [34]. In Rumipamba, there is evidence for the presence of corn (Zea mays), beans (Leguminoseae fabaceae), pumpkins (Cucurbitaficifolia), capulí (Prunus spp.), myrtle (Eugenia ssp.), potato (Solanum tuberosum), melloco (Ullucus tuberosus), oca (Oxalis tuberosa), mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum), coca leaf (Erythroxylum coca), cassava (Manihot esculenta cranz, which were acquired from another region and apparently consumed as a beverage), and chili (Capsicum spp.) [32]. Based on their analysis of the settlement of La Florida, Ubelaker, Katzenberg, and Doyon (1995) suggest that both low- and high-status inhabitants had access to corn, although those with a high status had greater access. According to these authors, the greatest amount of chicha production was reserved for those of a high status [53].

There is not much food information from the Inca period in the Quito plateau and its valleys. Research from Rumicucho has found llama (Lama glama), guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), and dog (Canis familiaris) remains, and archeologists have determined that these remains belonged to hunted animals, that is to say, the animals were probably consumed as food. It is also presumed that the Incas introduced the alpaca (Lama pacos), since the wool from this animal has been found in cumbi textiles, which were reserved for the nobility [34]. The main food from vegetables in the Inca empire was corn, in different varieties and preparations. This represented a large part of the daily diet, as both a staple food and a sacred drink (chicha). There is no evidence that the Inca increased or intensified the agriculture during their occupation in the Ecuadorian Andes, and they consumed food that was produced by the local population regularly [11].

Several paleoethnobotanical studies of the different food plant crops based on phytoliths have been conducted in the Andes. This allows us to know some of the edible plants that were probably consumed in the region [14,15]. There is also evidence of the domestication of some of the native animals among Andean cultures, including alpacas (L. pacos) and llamas (Lama glama). Cuy (Cavia porcellus or C. aparea porcellus) and Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) were introduced to Ecuador through overland trade routes in the second and first millennia BC and were available only to the elites [16].

Table 1 presents a summary of this chronology, with the sites and the main foods that were possibly consumed by the ancient inhabitants of the Quito plateau and its valleys. This chronology was developed through research and studies that have indicated radiocarbon dating and zooarchaeological and paleobotanical analyses.