Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-28
BY THOMAS r. HENRY
science Editor Of The star

6clenc0 Luttor u AhS OeAk
BOGOTA, Colombia, June %.
The Colombian Institute of
Archaeology is trying today to
piece together the story Of 1.-THE
Golden Men," members Of the
Chibcha empire. which was ruth
lessly destroyed by invaders CEN
turtles ago.
The Chibchas are estimated to
have numbered about million
at the time Of their conquest by
Jimenez de Quesada, Spanish
lawyer and colorful conquistador,
who invaded Colombia in 1886.
A highland people, they formed
two empires. each with several
subsidiary states. The southern
and largest was ruled by a king
known as the zipa. The northern
state was ruled by the zaque.
These highly organized states
form the basis for the opinion
of modern ethnologists that the
Chibchas possessed the fourth
highest civilization in the pre-
Colombian new world.
With the exception of Bogota' S
ancient jail. which contains nu-
merous articles of Chibchas man
ufacture and gold work, there
are few remains Of Chibchas
civilization. The Chibchas were
not, like the Mayas and Incas,
temple builders.
Had at Least Is Towns
Records indicate they were
mainly town-dwelling farmers.
At least is towns with popula-
tons of about 1000 each or mere
are also recorded, one of which
was the site of what is now
Bogota.
It seems the prediction for
gold that brought about their
downfall was primarily a reli-
gious function with the Chib-
chas. Gold was regarded as a
symbol of nobility.
This leads to the idea that ti,.
Chibchas came from somewhere
else. as there was little gold
within the boundaries of their
Kingdoms here.
The lack Of Chibchas military
experience was a major reason
tor their easy conquest, Colom-
oia Psychologists believe. It an
pears any wars between their
own two empires were not ener-
getically pursued.
Their chief weapon was a
sharp-poiuted dart, possibly
poisoned, that was hurled with a
spear thrower.
There is evidence Of great
tyranny in the kingdom of the
Zlpa. One report on the civiliza-
ton said that when the Zipa
wished to spit, a dignitary knelt
with averted face and held out
q cloth"
Confined 6 Years
The zipa'S training began
early and part Of the prepara-
ton for Snobbish rule included
confinement for six years in a
temple. He was forbidden to see
the sun and made to fast for
long periods.
The zipa was FL Dorado, 1.-THE
Golden Man." On ceremonial &C.
caSicns he covered his body with
gold duSt--and became a lure for
generations of treasure hunters.
Every Chibchas town has its
temple. The priest, almost i'm
portant as the chief, led what
mas been termed a life of per
petual penance."
The priests asked gold as a
Zee for prescribing penance for
others and the temples became
filled with jars of gold. These
were the chief source of the pre-
cious metal recovered by early
conquistadors. However, as soon
as a jar was full. it was buried
in a secret place. From this
practice arose legends of buried
treasure that lured so many later
seeks for Ell Dorado.
The Chibchas had gods for the
nobility and lesser dieties for
the commoner. AS among the
AztecS and possibly the Mayas,
there were human sacrifices.
No Lofty Philosophy
While little really is known OF
the Chibchas religion, the arch
Biological institute staff says il
seems to have been a religion OF
businessmen" little concerned
with the lofty philosophy which