Ciudad Perdida, which translates to “Lost City,” is an ancient archaeological site located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains in Colombia. Believed to have been founded around 800 AD, it predates the famous Machu Picchu by several centuries. The city was rediscovered in 1972 when a group of local treasure looters found a series of stone steps rising up the mountainside. They named the city “Green Hell” or “Wide Set.” It was later known as Ciudad Perdida after the Colombian government took over the site. The city was built by the Tairona people and was a major hub of their civilization. It consists of over 169 terraces carved into the mountainside, a network of tiled roads, and several small circular plazas. The site was abandoned during the Spanish conquest, and it remained hidden for centuries.
Tairona civilization
The Tairona civilization, a group of chiefdoms that flourished in northern Colombia in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region, represents one of the most intriguing pre-Columbian cultures in South America. This civilization, which reached its zenith between AD 900 and 1600, is known for its sophisticated engineering, distinctive ceramics, and intricate goldwork. The Tairona people constructed terraced platforms, stone pathways, and bridges in the steep mountains, showcasing their advanced understanding of their challenging environment.
One of the major moments in the history of the Tairona civilization was its encounter with the Spanish conquistadors in the early 16th century. This contact led to significant upheaval, as the Tairona resisted Spanish efforts to subjugate them. Despite their resistance, the introduction of European diseases and the direct impacts of conquest significantly diminished their population and disrupted their society, leading to a gradual decline.
The religion of the Tairona civilization was deeply connected to nature and the environment. They worshipped a pantheon of gods and believed in a close relationship between the spiritual and physical worlds. Their religious practices included the use of coca leaves, divination, and the construction of ceremonial centers, which played a crucial role in their social and religious life.
Socially, the Tairona civilization was organized into a hierarchy of chiefdoms, each ruled by a chieftain. These chiefdoms were interconnected through a network of alliances and trade routes, facilitating the exchange of goods such as gold, ceramics, and textiles. The society was divided into various classes, including the ruling elite, religious leaders, artisans, and farmers. This social structure influenced daily life, which revolved around agriculture, craftsmanship, and religious ceremonies.
The daily life of the Tairona people was marked by their close relationship with the environment. They practiced slash-and-burn agriculture, cultivating crops such as maize, beans, and cassava. Their diet was supplemented by hunting and fishing. The Tairona were also skilled artisans, known for their work in ceramics, textiles, and particularly gold, which they used not only for decorative purposes but also in religious ceremonies.
There is little specific information about individual rulers, kings, or queens within the Tairona civilization, as their society did not emphasize individual leadership in the same way as contemporary civilizations. Leadership was more collective, vested in the hands of chieftains and religious leaders who governed according to customary laws and traditions.
The Tairona civilization was originally from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region in what is now Colombia. This challenging terrain, characterized by dense forests and steep mountains, provided natural protection and isolation, which allowed the Tairona culture to develop with relatively little influence from neighboring civilizations until the arrival of the Spanish.
The Tairona did engage in conflicts, primarily with neighboring chiefdoms, but there is limited detailed historical documentation of specific wars and battles. The most significant conflict for the Tairona was undoubtedly their resistance against Spanish colonization. Despite their efforts, the combination of military conquest and disease eventually led to the decline of their civilization.