El Dorado ('Gilded Man' or 'Golden One') referred to the legendary kings of the Muisca (Chibcha) people who populated the northern Andes of modern-day Colombia from 600 to 1600. The name derives from the coronation ritual when the new king was covered in gold dust before he leapt into Lake Guatavita.
More about: El Dorado17th Anniversary Fundraiser
Celebrate our 17th anniversary with an anniversary gift to support free history education around the world!
$2147 / $5000
Definition
Timeline
-
600 - 1600The Muisca Civilization flourishes in northern South America.
-
1537Lake Guatavita discovered by Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada while on an expedition to the highlands of the Eastern Ranges of the Andes in search of gold.
-
1595Sir Walter Raleigh makes his first unsuccessful attempt to find El Dorado in South America.
-
Mar 1617Sir Walter Raleigh again attempts to find El Dorado in South America.
