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The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a mountain range
on the Caribbean coast in northern Colombia, separated from the
Andes. The coastal bays contain remains of societies that worked
gold in the Nahuange Period, from 200 B.C. to 900 A.D. Remains
related to these and dating from around 900 A.D. have been found
on the upper parts of the Sierra, where the climate is cooler
and even cold. These are breastplates in the form of birds of
prey or shaped like a double spiral, necklace beads and carved
stone ornaments, but there is also a complex system of towns and
satellite villages there, with stone foundations and linked together
by paths. |
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Tairona at the Gold Museum Exhibition
Masterpieces of the Sierra Nevada de Santa
Marta |
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When the Spanish conquistadors arrived on the high plains of
the Eastern Range, they found Muiscas and other related societies,
such as Guanes, Laches and Chitareros, living there. These were
descendants of groups who had in turn reached the region around
600 A.D. and who were related to the peoples of the Sierra Nevada
de Santa Marta and other Chibcha speaking groups, who came originally
from Central America. The Muiscas and their neighbours mummified
members of their governing elite and made metal figurines -
tunjos - which they used for making offerings to their gods.
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Muisca at the Gold Museum Exhibition
Masterpieces of the Eastern Range |
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Goldwork was also an important art in Central America
—principally in Panama and Costa Rica—, where ancient
societies learned it from the inhabitants of the Urabá
region in Antioquia and the jungles of Chocó. Numerous
objects clearly indicate that these regions shared many cultural
links, but there were also links with the Mid-Cauca region and
societies living in northern Colombia. These are the last two
showrooms on our tour of the first floor.
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Urabá at the Gold Museum Exhibition
Masterpieces from between Two Seas |
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In 1492, two hitherto isolated continents discovered
each other. The indigenous population was decimated by disease
and the wars of the conquest, while those who survived were forced
to labour for their colonial masters in agricultural work or were
subjected to transportation or exploitation in the mines. Faced
with a mercantile view of gold and a new religion, many objects
were made. Remains of the past have encouraged people since the
19th century to study the ancient history of this land. |
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Colombia has a history that goes back 15,000 years. Pre-Hispanic
societies have left us a valuable legacy consisting of various
organisation methods, adaptations and ways of thought. The country
currently boasts 84 indigenous groups, who speak no fewer than
64 native languages. Most groups have retained their religion,
and some use gold that has been handed down from their ancestors
in their rituals.
Pre-Hispanic objects are part of Colombia's heritage and identity.
Their age-old message of diversity and respecting differences
points the way forward in a country which has added African
and European influences to its indigenous ones. |
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