This British Museum exhibition certainly lived up to its name, with a stunning collection of golden artefacts – plus some equally nice if less shiny ceramics and textiles – created by the various different peoples who lived in what is now Colombia before the Spanish conquest in the 16th century C.E. As expected from the title, the focus was mainly on the use of these golden objects as part of these societies’ rituals and ceremonies. So there were items of jewellery to be worn during rituals, figurines of people or animals which may have had special spiritual meanings, and objects like ‘dipping pins’ for use in ceremonies (to be dipped into the coca-and-lime mixture used as a stimulant). There was also some explanation of the different techniques used in creating these objects, and in the different styles of gold-working found amongst the various different societies (such as the Muisca, Quimbaya, Calima and Tairona). In my opinion this was the most interesting part of the exhibition – the craftsmanship involved in making these golden objects was astounding, and both of these sections highlighted that very well.
Continue reading “Beyond El Dorado: Power and Gold in Ancient Colombia – Review”
