THE TRUE WEALTH OF GOLD
The Incan Empire was renowned for its engineering and territorial expansion. It amassed wealth through conquest, tributes, and trade. At the center of its wealth stood the alluring and revered metal gold.
IMAGE OF TUMI KNIFE FROM MUESO DE ORO DEL PERU
Gold held deep religious and symbolic significance to the Incas, particularly in connection to their most important deity, Inti, the God of the sun. The precious metal embodied Inti, representing power, divinity, and the cyclical patterns of life and the cosmos. Rulers collected gold as tribute from their subjects; the more they amassed, the more their divine right to rule and their connection to the gods grew. Gold not only adorned the nobles and ruling elite as jewelry but could also be found in religious rituals and decorating temples and shrines.
The end of the Incan Empire came with the destruction caused by Spanish conquistadors, who pillaged temples and melted down sacred artifacts, desecrating and devaluing the very symbol of the Incas' civilization. Today, the remnants of the Inca Empire still captivate and astound us. The golden artifacts that survive the ravages of time are a testament to the Incas' profound connection to the precious metal.
The story of the Incas and their wealth of gold reminds us how perceptions shape our understanding of riches.
IMAGES ARE ALL FROM THE WEBSITE OF MUSEO DE ORO DEL PERU. AN INCREDIBLE MUSEUM THAT I ENCOURAGE ALL VISITORS TO PERU TO GO AND VISIT TO LEARN ABOUT OUR HISTORY.
