I did a little research on El Dorado in National Geographic
after we read about it in Candide. The myth surfaced in the 16th and
17th century. All the rumors say tribes in the Andes mountains at
Lake Guatavita would cover their new chieftains with dust and throw gold and
precious jewels into the lake to an under water god. The Spaniards called the
ruler El Dorado. A different tribe captured this area in the 14th
century. Spaniards found many other places around the exterior of the region
causing them to believe there was one area of concentrated gold. In 1545 they
found the lake and tried to drain it. They found hundreds of pieces of gold but
not the major treasure in the deeper water.
They even made a children’s movie about it that I used to
watch when I was little.
2 comments:
I remember this movie!! That's an interesting backstory. Even though there wasn't any real "treasure," I'm sure they were more than happy with the amount of gold they found.
El Dorado reminds me of Forest Fenn's treasure hunt that trended about two years ago. Forest Fenn is a millionare and hid millions in treasures supposedly somewhere in New Mexico. To find the treasure you need to solve this poem!
As I have gone alone in there
And with my treasures bold,
I can keep my secret where,
And hint of riches new and old.
Begin it where warm waters halt
And take it in the canyon down,
Not far, but too far to walk.
Put in below the home of Brown.
From there it's no place for the meek,
The end is drawing ever nigh;
There'll be no paddle up your creek,
Just heavy loads and water high.
If you've been wise and found the blaze,
Look quickly down, your quest to cease
But tarry scant with marvel gaze,
Just take the chest and go in peace.
So why is it that I must go
And leave my trove for all to seek?
The answers I already know
I've done it tired, and now I'm weak
So hear me all and listen good,
Your effort will be worth the cold.
If you are brave and in the wood
I give you title to the gold.
So I'm thinking humanities field trip to New Mexico....?
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