Muisca Confederation

Timeline

1. 1351–1354Eastern highlands of Colombia · ColombiaThe Muisca Confederation had two great monarchs, the zipa of Bacatá and the zaque of Hunza, each ruling the northern and southern highlands respectively and each presiding over dozens of cacicazgos, forming a dual-centered political structure that was not subordinate to one another but culturally homogeneous.
2. 1354–1357Nemocón salt mines · CundinamarcaMuisca artisans cast gold ornaments (tunajos) by the lost-wax method; salt and gold goods were exchanged along highland trade routes for cotton cloth, emeralds, and cacao, and the resulting trade wealth strengthened the royal houses and nobility of the zipa and zaque.
3. 1357–1360Lake Guatavita · CundinamarcaBy around 1360, the Muisca Confederation consolidated royal authority through the coronation ceremony at Lake Guatavita, worship of the sun and moon deities, and astronomical observation; the priestly class (jeeps) held significant influence in confederation politics.