by Gina Polini
Around 500 AD, a Costa Rican Native American took a gold nugget, and started pounding it, repeatedly time after time until finally the outcome was a marvelous chest plate. That would further establish his warrior status. Today 1500 years later, this piece is in display at the Costa Rican Gold Museum. There are another 1000 pieces that make up this archaeological treasure, with less than a handful of equals worldwide.
There are few museums that actually posses pre-Columbine pieces as part of their exhibits. Costa Rica holds the second largest collection of this type. There are 1600 gold pieces in total, of which two thirds of it are in permanent display. The Costa Rican gold museum is divided in two sections.
The first one is an introduction that provides reference on the cultural & archaeological evolution of natives in Costa Rican territory. In this first section you can also find clay figures, as well as artifacts used in their everyday life.
The second area of the display houses the gold pieces, that in many cases resembles the fauna of the tropical forest. Golden representations of the Shaman are also found. Once in the middle of this splendor, one cannot help to be in complete amazement. The attention to detail and craftsmanship of the creators is amazing. Especially if you consider there were no modern tools or technology for the trade. Many of the patterns, details and techniques in these figures cannot be duplicated easily even by today's standards.
The collection almost comes to life with figures of frogs, fish, crabs, eels, crocodiles, etc. Each piece has detailed info of its making, where it was found and the period of its making. They also created gold items to be used for everyday life like: hooks, bracelets, needles earrings & headbands.
Interesting Facts
The native Costa Ricans that dedicated to crafting gold into these wonders settled in the southern pacific region of Costa Rica. This is the area where gold and copper can be found. Most of the objects were created between the years 400 �500 AD. But the best work was done 200 years later.
Experts have determined that the knowledge for shaping these marvelous gold pieces was originally used for their pottery and clay artifacts. Some of their most popular designs are human like figures with animal features. Apparently these were used in rituals to establish the status of the heads of their communities, like the chief or shaman.
This unique collection can be found in the Museum of pre-Columbine gold of Costa Rica. It is housed in the underground rooms underneath the Culture Plaza (Plaza de La Cultura), in downtown San Jos�.
Gold and then some
Resides the gold exhibit, guests can visit the numismatic section. Here one can view the different coins & bills of Costa Rica. The museum also has a show room for short terco exhibits from Costa Rican artists as well as artists from around the globe. During the first part of 2008, there will be a sample of Rembrandt originals. In the gift shop the visitor can find replicas of the originals in exhibit.
Some other great objects that can be purchased here are fine crafts made by Costa Rica's existing Native Communities. Literature can also be obtained on the topic. There is an excellent opportunity to visit the museum followed by a trip to InBio Park, called Treasures of Nature Tour. This is how many visitors will have a chance to view the actual flora and fauna that inspired the creators.
Art and Culture 
