Hey there! Nicholas here, your American guide living in Colombia. Let’s dive into the marvels of Bogotá’s Gold Museum, a top destination in Colombia’s capital. You’re in for a treat with its impressive collection!
What to Expect at the Gold Museum
Visiting the Gold Museum is like taking a step-by-step journey through history. Each floor presents a new array of exhibits showcasing pre-Columbian cultures that shaped modern-day Colombia. Keep your eyes peeled for two standout items we’ll discuss next!
The Gold Poporo
Unearthed in the 19th century, the Gold Poporo is a curious artifact found in a Northeast Antioquia cave. This container was used for grinding coca leaves into powder for religious ceremonies. The mambeo process varied by region, blending coca with lime or plant ashes to extract alkaloids. Today, this practice continues, with regional variations like lime in La Guajira, plant ashes in Peru, and yarumo ashes in Amazonian tribes.
The Muisca Raft
On the third floor, you’ll find the Gold Museum’s prized Muisca Raft. Discovered in 1969 in Pasca, it dates back between 600 and 1600 AD. This gold and copper artifact depicts a Muisca leader’s proclamation ceremony, surrounded by gold and precious stones. The raft, complete with a feathered chieftain and soldiers, symbolizes offerings made to gods in Guatavita Lake.
There’s also the famous Siecha or Quimbaya Raft, found in 1856. This piece, similar to the Muisca Raft, stirred legends of El Dorado, Colombia’s mythical city of gold. Sadly, it was lost in a fire after being sold to a German museum.
Pre-Columbian Goldsmithing
Before the Spanish conquest, Colombian indigenous settlements were rich in precious metals and goldsmithing techniques. These metals gained value when transformed into symbolic objects like masks, weapons, or coca containers. Research on the Muiscas reveals two distinct types of goldsmiths: those crafting offerings and those making body adornments. The Lenguazaque documents, found 100 km from Bogotá, offer more insights into these practices.
Acquiring Gold
Gold was extracted using mining and alluvial techniques. After river floods, gold nuggets would appear along riverbanks. Copper from mines was often combined with gold to create tumbaga, a blend valued by both Muiscas and Spaniards.
Working with Gold and Other Metals
The artisans used anvils, hammers, and the lost-wax casting technique for shaping metals. Finishing touches were added using chisels and other tools, enhancing the metal’s appeal.
Ready to visit the Gold Museum? Here’s all you need to know!
Gold Museum Details
Address: Parque de Santander, Carrera 6 #15-88, Bogotá
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday: Closed
▶️ Discover more Bogotá museums in my upcoming posts!