When the Spanish reached South America in the early 16th century, they heard stories about a tribe of natives
high in the Andes mountains in what is now Colombia.
The legend of the El Dorado was born through rumours spreading far beyond the new world
that there was a vast city of gold somewhere in the mountains.
But it has been later proved that El Dorado wasn't a place but a person.
El Dorado translated into english literally means " The golden one "
high in the Andes mountains in what is now Colombia.
The legend of the El Dorado was born through rumours spreading far beyond the new world
that there was a vast city of gold somewhere in the mountains.
But it has been later proved that El Dorado wasn't a place but a person.
El Dorado translated into english literally means " The golden one "
The magnificent golden raft of the muisca, discovered inside a cave near Bogota and is now displayed in the city's museum Museo del Oro.
Only eight inches long, four inches wide and four inches high.
Only eight inches long, four inches wide and four inches high.
The golden raft of the muisca seems to capture the moment in a waterborne ceremony, the very embodiment of the El Dorado legend,
The chieftain of the tribe, El Dorado, The Golden One , stands in the middle of the raft adorned with headdress,
earings and a nose ring.
The chieftain of the tribe, El Dorado, The Golden One , stands in the middle of the raft adorned with headdress,
earings and a nose ring.
Surrounded by 12 tribe members, all adorned in gold ornaments, carrying musical instruments and jaguar masks
The tribe members on the edge of the raft seem to be the rowers.
The tribe members on the edge of the raft seem to be the rowers.
Muisca people valued gold in spiritual rather than monetary terms.
Accounts of the ceremony vary, but they consistently say that the new chieftain was covered with gold dust.
He would sail to the centre of the lake on a wooden raft laden with with precious treasures.
He would wash the gold from his body in the lake and gold and precious jewels were thrown into the lake to pacify
the water gods.
To the Muiscas, all lakes were sacred, all water spirits were to be appeased.
Accounts of the ceremony vary, but they consistently say that the new chieftain was covered with gold dust.
He would sail to the centre of the lake on a wooden raft laden with with precious treasures.
He would wash the gold from his body in the lake and gold and precious jewels were thrown into the lake to pacify
the water gods.
To the Muiscas, all lakes were sacred, all water spirits were to be appeased.
Lake Guatavita
Lake Guatavita, according to popular belief, was one of the sacred lakes of the Muisca.
Situated now in a state park, less than an hour's drive into the hills north-east of Bogotá, was one where the Muisca made offerings to the Gods.
Situated now in a state park, less than an hour's drive into the hills north-east of Bogotá, was one where the Muisca made offerings to the Gods.
Muisca raft reproduction
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