On the other hand, you probably do "know" these folks from a virtually identical "early agriculture development area" in the vicinity of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.
They also domesticated many varieties of squash (otherwise a tropical plant), as well as the Jerusalem artichoke, and presumably other stuff.
Although these two places, Kentucky and Equador, seem far apart, if you have the use of boats....... well, we know what happens there ~ "the world" is discovered~
Corn, too, even though corn is harsh on the soil.