| Title: |
Cosmological Relations in the Muisca Myth of Bachue. |
| Authors: |
Sánchez, H. Natalia hnsanchezs@unal.edu.co, Martínez Celis, Diego ciudadanomartinez@yahoo.com, Vinasco Téllez, Mauricio1 mvinasco@unbosque.edu.co |
| Source: |
Journal of Skyscape Archaeology. 2024, Vol. 10 Issue 1, p1-46. 57p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*MYTH, *ARCHAEOLOGY, *MYTHOLOGY, *METAPHYSICAL cosmology, *GALAXIES, *INDIGENOUS peoples of South America, *CERAMICS |
| Geographic Terms: |
ANDES Region |
| Abstract: |
This research paper outlines possible cosmological relations in the Muisca myth of Bachue, a traditional narrative involving the sacred lake of Iguaque, located in the Colombian Andes. The research applied an interdisciplinary approach, considering archaeological, historical, ethnographic, astronomical, social and climatic perspectives. Material culture and historical sources related to the myth highlight the figure of a large animal with a curved back, thought to be associated with mountain lakes, and it is here suggested that Muiscas may have seen in the night sky a huge and humped animal whose back was the Milky Way's bulge. This paper proposes that between 700 AD to 1000 AD, the period during which the Bachue myth is thought to have originated, the archaeological site of El Infiernito had celestial and landscape alignments involving the Sun, the Milky Way and the Pleiades. Muisca serpent-adorned cups can be interpreted as a representation of a cosmogonic/cosmological model, with concepts such as origin, opposition, duality, water and death, all present in the myth, materialised in these unique ceramic pieces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of Journal of Skyscape Archaeology is the property of Equinox Publishing Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Academic Search Complete |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests. |
Login for full access.
|
