Eight ceramic vessels discovered containing numerous artifacts made of gold, silver, and notably, meticulously crafted emeralds.
According to Ancient Origins, eight ceramic vessels filled with valuable artifacts were discovered at an ancient temple near Bogotá, Colombia. Inside each vessel were many artifacts made of gold and silver, and most notably, carefully crafted emeralds.
Valuable artifacts inside ceramic jars. (Photo: Francisco Correa).
The ancient Muisca (also known as Chibcha) crafted these vessels called “ofrendatarios” approximately 600 years ago. The Muisca, a civilization that flourished in the region at that time, were renowned for their metalworking skills. Their creations may have inspired the legend of the city of gold El Dorado.
According to Live Science, the aforementioned treasure was discovered through a survey led by the renowned Colombian archaeologist Francisco Correa, who specializes in examining sites before large construction projects. He described how the gold and silver treasures were crafted in the shapes of snakes and various other animals. The temple where the ceramic jars were found may have served ancestral worship.
One of the ceramic vessels. (Photo: Francisco Correa).
The temple and the ceramic jars may be related to the goddesses worshiped by the Muisca, associated with the Moon and the Sun. The Muisca were masters of metalworking. When the Spanish conquered the Muisca, they were particularly impressed by the gold artifacts of the local inhabitants. As there were no gold mines nearby, the ancient Muisca likely traded metal with other tribes.
