Pre-Columbian Gold

Pre-Columbian Gold is a compilation of 13 essays by leading international scholars (archaeologists, art historians, metallurgists, etc.) that presents the latest research into the technology and iconography of pre-Columbian goldworking; areas covered are Peru, Bolivia, and Chile; Ecuador and Colombia; Central America and the Caribbean. Essays include discussions of gold offerings from excavations at Batan Grande, Peru; a description of recently discovered Malagana goldwork from Colombia; and an account of gold found in archaeological contexts from Panama. The results of analytical work on these finds have yielded new insights into Pre-Columbian social organization and beliefs, which are complemented by breakthroughs in iconographic interpretation of Nasca gold masks. The essays are comprehensively illustrated with 209 black-and-white photos and 37 color plates. Pre-Columbian Gold is the first interdisciplinary volume of its kind to cover a wide range of the principal Pre-Columbian goldworking cultures in the Americas. Both authoritative and accessible, it will be an important reference work for scholars but equally of interest to the non-specialist. Winner "Outstanding Academic Book" Award - Choice