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Fernando Botero

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Pre-Colombia

The territory of what is today Colombia have been inhabited probably since 20,000 years ago. El Abra is one of the most ancient archaeological sites of human evidence of the Americas and the most ancient of Colombia dated about 17,000 years ago on the Cundinamarca-Boyacá Andean Plateau. The identity of those early populations is not clear and the discussion is connected to the theories of the population of the Americas traced for some scholars between 20,000 and 60,000 years ago. It is sure that the "El Abra" Culture was an early group different to the later communities of the Muiscas, of the Chibcha linguistic families that came from Central America around the Holocene (10,000 years ago). The development of the Muisca Cultural is located about the Formative Stage of America (5,000 years ago). Puerto Hormiga is other ancient site dated about year 3290 BC.  

These archaeological site in the Boyacá Department is called by scholars a Solar Observatory belonging to the Muisca Culture. Picture by Past Signals.

The territory of Colombia at the entrance of South America, has been since ever a strategic cross of routes from the Mezzo American cultures to the Andean settlements. The Colombian linguistic families belong to the Caribbean and Chibcha groups that settled the territory after the Holocene a. 10,000 years ago and the development of agriculture. Numberless archeological sites and artifacts have been founded in all the Colombian territory giving evidence of dynamic agrarian societies. The petroglyphs (images carved on stones) are very common like the ones of Chimitá in the Santander State. Pottery, stony tools, statues and textile are among the most prominent evidence of human groups.  

The American Classic and Post Classic stages (since a. 2,000 years ago to the 15th century) in the Colombian territory had its notorious representative in the biggest confederation of tribes of the Continent. Known as the Muisca Confederation, it was a group of the Chibcha linguistic family which origin is traced in Central America. They settled the Andean Plateau of the Cundinamarca and Boyacá states. They were many tribes that joined under the rule of two kings, with a single army in case of wars, the same languages and customs, but two different religions. They were different groups, but the two main federations were Bacatá (today Bogotá) and Hunza (today Tunha). The tribes of Bacatá were under the rule of Zipa and their religion was Chia, the Moon. The tribes of Hunza were under the Zaque and their religion was Sue, the Sun. 

In blue the territory of what was the Muisca Confederation. Map from Wikimedia Commons.

The attention given to the Muiscas should not make us forget that the vast Colombian territory was also inhabited by thousands of native groups. Taironas (related to the Muiscas), U'was, Caribbeans and many others. Many other archaeological sites like the San Agustin Park, the Kalima Culture and the Lost City among many others, show the activity of other peoples out of the Andean Plateau of Cundinamarca and Boyacá states.

A gold representation of the offerings of the Zipa to Chia, the Moon, in the Guatavita Lagoon. This historical fact generated the legend of El Dorado.

The history of those peoples before the Spanish Conquer has poor information due to destruction of many sources under the wars of subjections. However, scholars have given a lot importance to traditional stories kept from one generation to the other, telling legends that were listened with little attention before, but with important clues of far characters and stories. For example, it is said that Bochica, a strain man who came from heaven, put in order the agronomy of the Muiscas and punished Huitaca and Chibchacum that caused so many damages to the agriculture by flooding. A similar story can be listen among the natives of Antioquia about a strain woman which name was Dabeiba - even a town has her name -, who came from heaven and taught to the natives the art of sowing. It is possible that those strain characters were charismatic leaders from the old who lead their peoples to develop their cultures in things related to agriculture and art.

Contrary to what The Rout of El Dorado Film proposed setting the old legend in a kind of mixture between Peru and Mexico, El Dorado legend was born in Colombia with the Muisca Culture, thanks to the importance the natives gave to gold and the fact that the Zipa used to honor Chia, the Moon, in the Guatavita Lagoon by dressing his body with gold and offering gold gifts to her. The fact was known by many other Colombian groups out of the borders of the Muisca confederation and the story was to be heard by the ambitious Spaniard conquerors who were about to make the legend even greater.

The Lower the Latitude, the Better my Attitude!  Friday, July 04, 2008   Site dedicated to the Colombian people!

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