Above illustration: hold and silver inca artefacts - http://www.jacksbromeliads.com/img-inca-artifacts-01_phixr.jpg
Gold and Silver
Gold and silver were not considered to be valuable commodities in the Inca culture as we understand them today, but instead they held religious significance.
Many artifacts were created in the image of the sun and many temples were clad in gold. It is believed that there was even a whole farmyard scene in Cusco made of gold - including gold llamas!
Entire buildings were said to have been clad in gold.
Unfortunately when the Spaniards arrived they looted all the gold and silver and melted it down and sent it back to Europe.
This is why there are very few Inca artifacts remaining today.
Gold and silver were not considered to be valuable commodities in the Inca culture as we understand them today, but instead they held religious significance.
- Gold - was the sweat of the sun
- Silver- was the tears of the moon goddess
Many artifacts were created in the image of the sun and many temples were clad in gold. It is believed that there was even a whole farmyard scene in Cusco made of gold - including gold llamas!
Entire buildings were said to have been clad in gold.
Unfortunately when the Spaniards arrived they looted all the gold and silver and melted it down and sent it back to Europe.
This is why there are very few Inca artifacts remaining today.