Gold Nuggets from the Sierpe River
2018 © Maxim Tabachnik
Diquís Crocodile Pendant with Bared TeethDiquís WarriorChorotega Gold Idol Pendant
Gold Nuggets from the Sierpe RiverGold Nuggets from the Sierpe River
Diquís Crab PendantDiquís Ceremonial Plaza and Chiefs’ HousesDiquís Gold Frog PendantDiquís Raptor PendantDiquís Bat PendantDiquís Harpy Eagle PendantDiquís Gold Pectoral Symbol of PowerAncient Gold Shark PendantsDiquís Gold Feline PendantGold Shamanic Bird PendantAncient Gold Earring with Human HeadDiquís Gold Pendant with Winged BeingDiquís Twin-Headed Turtle PendantGuanín Rattle PendantDiquís Openwork Gold RattleZoomorphic Mythical PendantsQuimbaya-Style Gold Pendants: Seated Ruler and ShamanDiquís Frog and Anthropomorphic PendantsDiquís Lobster PendantsDiquís Frog–Bat Pendant with Nose RingDiquís Gold Ornament with Shamanic FiguresDiquís Gold Pendant with PredatorDiquís Turtle Bell PendantDiquís Composite Animal with MaizeMasked Shaman PendantDiquís Bird PendantsDiquís Pendant of Flute PlayersQuimbaya-Zenú Style Pendant with Seated FigureDiquís Harpy Eagle–Alligator PendantDiquís Avian Pendant with Spread WingsDiquís Pendants of MusiciansDiquís Gold Pendant with Dangling OrnamentsDiquís Stone SphereDiquís Frog–Jaguar PendantDiquís Gold Pendant of a PredatorDiquís Gold Figures with RattlesDiquís Lizard-Masked Ritual Pendant

Gold Nuggets from the Sierpe River

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Unrefined gold nuggets rest in a clay bowl, sourced from the Sierpe River in Costa Rica’s southern Pacific region. These riverine treasures, used by Diquís goldsmiths (700–1500), supplied the raw material for ritual ornaments that embodied sacred power and social rank, linking material mastery to spiritual authority.