Goranchacha Temple
Muisca | |
| Satellite of | Hunza |
|---|---|
| Site notes | |
| Archaeologists | Gregorio Hernández de Alba |
| Condition | Parts excavated |
| Public access | Yes |
The Goranchacha Temple (Spanish: Templo de Goranchacha) is an archeological site of the
Background
During the time before the
Goranchacha was a mythical cacique who moved the capital of the northern Muisca from Ramiriquí to Hunza and was feared by the people, ruling as a dictator.[2][4]
Description
The Goranchacha Temple was allegedly constructed of two circular structures of rocks, reed and wood, transported from the farthest regions of the Muisca Confederation. In the centre was placed a column to support the roof.[3] Goranchacha ordered the temple to be built to worship his father; Sué, the God of the Sun. The cacique organised pilgrimages to the temple passing over painted cotton mantles and adorned with flower petals.[5] At the temple offerings were made.[3]
Pedro Simón wrote about the temple:[3]
"Cerca de las postreras casas del pueblo a la parte del norte donde ahora llaman las cuadras de Porras, hizo edificar un templo a su padre el Sol donde lo hacía venerar con frecuentes sacrificios..."
"Close to the farthest houses of the village in the northern part where today it's called Porras quarter, he ordered the construction of a temple to his father, the Sun, where he venerated him with frquent sacrifices..."
The location of the temple was found using this description in 1937 by Colombian
Today, the remains of the temple are part of the Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia in Tunja.
See also
References
- ^ Google Maps Elevation Finder
- ^ a b Ocampo López, 2013, Ch.13, p.81
- ^ a b c d e (in Spanish) Goranchacha - Pueblos Originarios
- ^ (in Spanish) Tunja, legendária y culta - El Tiempo
- ^ (in Spanish) Leyendas, mitos, espantos y romerías de Tunja Archived 2017-12-01 at the Wayback Machine
- Banco de la República
Bibliography
- Ocampo López, Javier. 2013. Mitos y leyendas indígenas de Colombia - Indigenous myths and legends of Colombia, 1-219. Plaza & Janes Editores Colombia S.A..
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