Tairona

E55959

The Tairona were an advanced pre-Columbian indigenous civilization of northern Colombia, known for their sophisticated goldwork, terraced stone settlements, and enduring cultural legacy among modern Kogi and Arhuaco peoples.


Statements (64)
Predicate Object
instanceOf indigenous people
pre-Columbian civilization
agriculturalProducts beans
cotton
maize
yuca
archaeologicalCulture Tairona archaeological culture
artStyle anthropomorphic gold pendants
nose ornaments
pectoral ornaments
zoomorphic gold pendants
conflictWith Spanish Empire
cosmology sacred mountains and rivers
country Colombia
culturalLegacy continuity in Arhuaco traditions
continuity in Kogi traditions
declineCause Spanish conquest
epidemic diseases
forced relocation
missionization
economy agriculture
fishing
long-distance trade
salt production
encounteredBy Spanish conquistadors
ethnolinguisticGroup Chibchan peoples
floruit c. 200 CE–1600 CE
hasCapitalOrMajorCenter Ciudad Perdida
hasSite Bonda
Buritaca-200
Chengue
Ciudad Perdida
Pueblito Chairama
heritageStatus associated with UNESCO World Heritage site Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
influenced Arhuaco people
Kankuamo people
Kogi people
Wiwa people
knownFor ceramic production
complex drainage systems
cotton textiles
lost-wax casting
shell and stone ornaments
sophisticated goldwork
stone-paved paths
terraced stone settlements
languageFamily Chibchan languages
locatedIn Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
northern Colombia
partOf Chibchan cultural area
peakPeriod c. 900–1600 CE
politicalOrganization network of chiefdoms
regional cacicazgos
regionType Caribbean coastal slopes of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
religion polytheistic religion
shamanism
timePeriod Classic period
Late Preclassic period
Postclassic period
usedMaterial ceramic
gold
shell
stone
tumbaga

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Gold Museum (Museo del Oro)
focusesOnCulture

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