The indigenous people of South America were rich in gold and silver.
An exhibit at the Gold Museum in Bogota.
The museums most precious collection is theMuisca Raftdiscovered in 1886 in a Colombian cave.
The item weighs 287 grams of which 80% is gold.
The legend begins in the 16th century, when Emperor Atahualpa was captured by the Spanish commander Francisco Pizarro.
Atahualpa fulfilled his end of the deal, but the Spaniard did not.
Several attempts were made to locate it but each time the dispatcher the King sent would mysteriously disappear.
Richard Spruce couldnt find the gold, but treasure seeker Captain Barth Blake is believed to have.
Blake made maps of the area and sent letters back home.
Pots full of the most incredible jewelry.
Golden vases full of emeralds.
Blake never reached New York.
Some say he was pushed overboard.
If the story is true, Blake might have been the last person to see the lost gold.
Circa 600 AD 1700 AD.Photo credit
Sources:National Geographic/About.com/Wikipedia/Ancient.eu/Indian Country Today/Google Cultural Institute
