During pre-Columbian times, the area of Panama which today includes
Coclé province had a number of identifiable native cultures. Archaeologists
have loosely designated these cultures by pottery style. The poorly studied La
Mula period ranged from 150 BC to AD 300. It was followed by the Tonosi period,
from AD 300 to AD 550, and by the Cubita period, from AD 550 to AD 700. A
unified Native American culture appears to have flourished in this area from
approximately 1200 BC until the 16th century
