Muisca raft facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Muisca raft
The Muisca raft
Material	Gold, Silver and copper
Size	19.5 cm x 10.1 cm
Created	600 - 1600 AD
Discovered	1969 near Pasca
Present location	Gold Museum, Bogota  Colombia

The Muisca raft (also called Balsa Muisca in Spanish) is a famous golden artwork. It was made by the Muisca, an ancient civilization that lived in the Andes mountains of Colombia. This special piece of art is linked to the famous legend of El Dorado, a story about a golden king.

You can see the Muisca raft today at the Gold Museum in Bogotá. Experts believe it was made between 600 and 1600 AD. It was created using a method called lost-wax casting with gold and a bit of copper.

The Legend of El Dorado

The Muisca raft shows a special ceremony from the legend of El Dorado. This legend tells of a Muisca chief who was covered in gold dust. He would then jump into Lake Guatavita as an offering to the gods. He would also throw gold and emeralds into the lake.

The raft itself looks like a small log boat. It is about 19.5 centimeters long and 10.1 centimeters wide. On the raft, there are several small figures. The largest figure in the middle seems to be the chief. This figure is about 10.2 centimeters tall. It wears fancy headdresses, nose rings, and earrings. Around the chief are figures of his soldiers, holding banners.

How the Raft Was Found

The Muisca raft was found in early 1969. Three farmers discovered it in a cave near the town of Pasca, Cundinamarca, Colombia. It was hidden inside a ceramic pot. This pot was decorated with a human face that had sharp teeth.

The local priest kept the raft safe for a while. Later, the Gold Museum in Bogotá bought it. Since then, it has become one of the museum's most important items. The Muisca raft has never left Colombia.

What is it Made Of?

The Muisca raft weighs 287.5 grams. It is made from a mix of gold, copper, and silver. Scientists used a special test called X-ray fluorescence to find out exactly what it contains.

Here's what they found:

This means the raft has about 7.38 troy ounces (229 grams) of gold.

Gallery

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  Right frontal view

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  Left frontal view

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  Rear view

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  Actual size in relation to its exhibition case

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See also

In Spanish: Balsa muisca para niños