Veraguas culture

The Veraguas culture, also known as the Chiriqui culture, was a pre-Columbian Panamian culture. It is noted for the quality of its goldwork.

Art

The Veraguas culture cast zoomorphic pendants out of gold and tumbaga, using the lost wax method. When using tumbaga, artists would often use acid to remove copper from the surface, allowing for a shinier piece. This process is known as depletion gilding. This goldwork was practiced until the early 16th century CE.[1]

An example of Veraguas goldwork

The Veraguas culture also produced painted tripod bowls and anthropomorphic figures.[2] In addition, sculptures were made out of basalt.[3]

Sites

El Cangrejal

El Cangrejal is located on the eastern coast of Panama. Several earthen mounds as well as many potsherds were found at this site.[4]

Villalba

Villalba is located on a long, thin island of the eastern coast. Basalt pillars as well as a sculpture of an armadillo have been found.[4]

Society

Little is known about Veraguas society. It is known that the Veraguas elite were buried with the aforementioned gold and tumbaga pendants. Deities were represented in goldwork, and appeared as anthropomorphized animals such as jaguars.[5]

References
  1. "Veraguas/Chiriquí culture, Panama Pendant". Haaedu. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  2. "Chiriqui culture, Panama and Costa Rica, 500 - 1000". Birmingham Museum of Art. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  3. Andrews, Alexander (1989). Pre-Columbian Stone Sculpture. Alison-Goldsmith Books.
  4. de Sapir, Olga Linares (1968). Cultural Chronology of the Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION PRESS.
  5. "Gold Pendant in Form of Anthropomorphic Being". Brooklyn Museum. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
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