Panama Huaca
Authentic Reproductions of Panama’s Golden Huacas

 

The original "Gold Huacas" of Panama  were molded and cast by the agile hands of the ancient Indians that existed more than a thousand years ago. The name "Huaca" is derived from the early Spanish word "huacal" meaning an Indian mound containing ruins or burials which refers to the ancient burial site. Thus, any artifact recovered from the burial ground is called a "Huaca.

 

Over the years, millions of these objects were crafted, but few have survived. In the 16th century when the Spanish Conquistadors came to Central America, they plundered all the gold objects they could find and sent them to Spain to be melted down. A lot of the pieces around today are actually tumbage, a copper-gold alloy. They were washed in special liquids that dissolved the copper out of the alloy on the surface of the object which left a thin coat of gold. We wonder what the Spaniards must have thought as the Golden Huacas turned to copper as they were melted down.

 

These reproductions have been made from molds of the originals pieces and have the  same imperfections found in the originals. They are intricately crafted Pre-Columbian artifacts as well as beautiful pieces of jewelry; reminders of a past civilization. We cast them in bronze and gold plate them with a 22kt gold to give them the same rich color the originals had. Solid gold pieces are available upon special request, although we still plate them with the richer gold color.

deb@panamahuaca.com