Muisca Confederation (1390s)

Timeline

1. 1391–1395Bacatá (Bogotá) · CundinamarcaRulers of the Sugamuxi dynasty exercised religious and political authority at Bacatá, forming a dual-center co-rule with the supreme zaque of Boyacá at Tunja. The zipa (ruler of Cundinamarca) and the zaque (ruler of Boyacá) each governed a network of semi-independent zaques, maintaining coordination in ritual and external relations.
2. 1393–1397Lake Guatavita · CundinamarcaThe Muisca held religious ceremonies such as the investiture of new rulers at Lake Guatavita, casting gold offerings (tunjo) into the lake to honor the water deity. These ceremonies reinforced the sacred authority of rulers and became the historical origin of the later El Dorado legend.
3. 1396–1400Nemocón salt mines · CundinamarcaThe Muisca Confederation grew potatoes and maize on highland terraces and mined salt at places such as Nemocón as an important trade commodity. Salt blocks and textiles circulated among the zaques, forming an internal economic bond that sustained a densely populated settled highland society.