Between the years 1200 and 1500 AD, and until the Spanish colonization of South America, Ecuadorians and Peruvians, especially the Incas, bred increasingly exotic varieties of guinea pigs. Many of these had fur and coloration very similar to the breeds we know today.
When trade with Europe really took off in the 16th century, guinea pigs became popular imports, mostly as pets rather than food. Introduced initially to Europe by Spanish conquistadors, they were valued as exotic pets, especially among the wealthy and royal courts; for example, Queen Elizabeth I of England was among the first European enthusiasts of guinea pigs. The earliest known written reports about guinea pigs date back to 1547 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Guinea pigs also had religious significance. Some civilizations, like the Moche (between 100 and 800 AD in northern Peru), worshipped them and often incorporated them into their art or placed statues of them. The Incas, on the other hand, sacrificed them to their gods.
Today, many families in the Andean highlands continue to raise guinea pigs for consumption. They are a great alternative to more common animals like cows or pigs, as they require little food or space and are cheaper to raise. Additionally, they produce far less carbon dioxide than livestock farming.
Guinea pig stands, usually with roasted animals on a spit, are common along the roads of towns and cities in the Andean region of Ecuador.
