muisca The Muiscas lived on high plateaus of Cundinamarca and Boyacá, in the fertile plains of Zipaquirá, Nemocón, Ubaté, Chiquinquirá and Sogamoso, in a cold or slightly temperate climate, with large lakes where they celebrated their imposing rituals. Having large mines of salt and emeralds, they traded with these to other territories. They were well organized socially and religion was an important part of their culture. They worshipped many gods including the sun and moon. Their great culture hero, Bochica, says the legend, opened the rocks with a golden staff, creating the Tequendama Falls and draining the waters which covered the savanna of Bogotá. From him they learned how to weave and dye the mantles they wore and traded with. He also taught them the laws. The Chibcha speaking Muiscas were excellent goldsmiths, in particular those of Guatavita who worked an alloy of gold and copper called "Tumbaga". From small plates decorated with filigree they cast the so called "tunjos", figures which have highly detailed dress and most, an indication of sex. Many pieces in the form of flat discs with gold thread were made and also crowns, collars, nosepieces and pendants. The most original and valuable masterpiece of Muisca art which represents the ceremony of "El Dorado", is the famous raft discovered in Pasca and now on show in the Gold Museum, Bogotá. Simbolic animals such as the small lizard, the snake and the frog were carved on the large rocks of Facatativá, bearing witness to a valuable stonecutters art.