The 3 Most Important Civilizations of Colombia
The three most important civilizations in Colombia before the Spanish conquest were the Muiscas, Taironas and Quimbayas. Learn about their history and legacy.
The Muiscas
The Muiscas are the civilization that has most influenced the culture of the interior of Colombia. They were located in the cundiboyacense highlands, with main settlements in Funza, Bogotá and Tunja. They had a organized political structure with rulers, army and rules.
Economically they practiced emerald, copper and salt mining, exchanging these resources for gold through bartering. They were also the creators of tejo, a sport that persists in Colombia to this day. The legendary story of El Dorado originated from them.
The Taironas
Located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Taironas were organized in cities of approximately one thousand inhabitants each, led by caciques under the guidance of priests. Unlike other cultures, for the Taironas the cacique was not attributed divine qualities.
They cultivated vegetables and fruits, and their main archaeological legacy is the Lost City, one of the most important archaeological sites in South America. Around 1600 they faced a Spanish military advance that almost extinguished the civilization. Some current descendants are the arhuacos, kogui and wiwa.
The Quimbayas
Settled in the Coffee Region, particularly in Quindío, the Quimbayas formed groups under caciques that confederated. Their economy was based on agriculture and goldwork; they cultivated corn and cassava.
They stood out for their extraordinary work in gold. Their most notable work is the quimbaya poporo, a goldwork piece that currently rests in the Gold Museum of Bogotá. Their population drastically decreased from 20,000 people in 1539 to just 69 in 1628, as a consequence of the Spanish colonization.