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Muisca Confederation

{{short description|Former Andean highlands confederation}}

{{See also|Muisca|Pre-Columbian cultures of Colombia}}

{{Infobox Former Country

| native_name = {{native name|chb|Muysc Muyquyguamox}}

| conventional_long_name = Muisca Confederation

| common_name = Muisca Confederation

| era = Pre-Columbian

| status = Confederation

| government_type =

| date_pre =

| year_start = {{Circa|800}}

| event_pre =

| image =

| image_coat =

| coat_alt =

| image_flag = Bandera de la confederacion muisca.png

| event1 = Spanish conquest begins

| event2 = Conquest of Funza (Bacatá)

| event3 = Conquest of Hunza

| event4 = Destruction of the Sun Temple

| event5 = Foundation of Bogotá
Battle of Tocarema

| event6 = Foundation of Tunja
Death of Tundama

| date_event1 = March 1537

| date_event2 = 20 April 1537

| date_event3 = 20 August 1537

| date_event4 = September 1537

| date_event5 = 6 August 1538
20 August 1538

| date_event6 = 6 August 1539
December 1539

| event_end = Execution of Aquiminzaque

| year_end = 1540

| stat_year1 = 1537

| stat_area1 = 46,972

| stat_year2 = Early 16th century

| stat_pop2 = 2 million

| ref_pop2 = Juan Friede (1966). Invasión del país de los chibchas. Santa Fe de Bogotá: Ediciones Tercer Mundo, pp. 19, in Spanish

| population_density_km2 = 42.58

| p1 = Herrera Period

| flag_p1 =

| s1 = New Kingdom of Granada

| flag_s1 = Flag_of_Cross_of_Burgundy.svg

| s2 =

| s3 =

| flag = Bandera de la confederacion muisca.png

| flag_type = Flag of the Muisca Confederation

| image_map = ConfederaciónMuisca.png

| image_map_caption = Location of the Muisca Confederation circa 1500; Zipa, Zaque, and Independent territory labelled

| capital = Bacatá (Bogotá), Hunza, and Suamox, Tundama
(800–1540)

| common_languages = Muysccubun

| religion = Muisca religion

| title_leader = Zaque and zipa

| leader1 = zaque Hunzahúa
zipa Meicuchuca

| leader2 = zaque Saguamanchica
zipa Michuá

| leader3 = zaque Quemuenchatocha
zipa Nemequene

| leader4 = zipa Tisquesusa

| leader5 = zaque Aquiminzaque
zipa Sagipa

| year_leader1 = ~1450–1470

| year_leader2 = 1470–1490

| year_leader3 = 1490–1537

1490–1514

| year_leader4 = 1514–1537

| year_leader5 = 1537–1540
1537–1539

| today = Colombia
- Cundinamarca
- Boyacá
- Santander

}}

The Muisca Confederation was a loose confederation of different Muisca rulers (zaques, zipas, iraca, and tundama) in the central Andean highlands of what is today Colombia before the Spanish conquest of northern South America. The area, presently called Altiplano Cundiboyacense, comprised the current departments of Boyacá, Cundinamarca and minor parts of Santander.

According to some Muisca scholars the Muisca Confederation was one of the best-organized confederations of tribes on the South American continent.{{in lang|es}} [http://www.historiacultural.com/2009/06/cultura-chibcha-muisca-ceramica-oro.html Muisca culture] – Historia Universal – accessed 21-04-2016 Other historians and anthropologists, however, such as Jorge Gamboa Mendoza, attribute the present-day knowledge about the confederation and its organization more to a reflection by Spanish chroniclers who predominantly wrote about it a century or more after the Muisca were conquered and proposed the idea of a loose collection of different people with slightly different languages and backgrounds.Gamboa Mendoza, 2016

Geography

{{see also|Altiplano Cundiboyacense|Bogotá savanna|Tenza Valley}}

File:Boyaca Topographic 2.png

= Climate =

class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

| colspan=4 align=center | Climate charts for the extremes and four most important settlements of the Muisca Confederation

align=center | {{climate chart

| {{center|NW: Vélez – 2050 m}}

|7.2 |19.2 |34

|7.6 |19.4 |46

|8.6 |19.3 |67

|9.2 |18.8 |113

|9.3 |18.4 |102

|9.1 |17.8 |63

|8.7 |17.6 |47

|8.5 |17.8 |47

|8.2 |18.2 |56

|8.5 |18.2 |119

|8.6 |18.4 |112

|8.0 |18.8 |60

|maxprecip = 350

|float = none

|clear = none

|source = [http://en.climate-data.org/location/34552/ Climate-data.org – Bogotá]

}}

| align=center | {{climate chart

| {{center|Lowest: Charalá – 1290 m}}

|15.2 |28.6 |71

|15.6 |28.6 |97

|15.8 |28.7 |157

|16.0 |28.0 |272

|16.0 |27.5 |283

|16.0 |27.2 |176

|15.4 |28.8 |175

|14.8 |28.2 |192

|15.3 |27.5 |224

|15.9 |27.0 |312

|16.0 |27.1 |244

|15.7 |27.5 |103

|maxprecip = 350

|float = none

|clear = none

|source = [http://en.climate-data.org/location/50024/ Climate-data.org – Charalá]

}}

| align=center | {{climate chart

| {{center|Highest: Aquitania – 3030 m}}

|6.0 |16.6 |11

|6.4 |16.7 |22

|7.4 |17.0 |49

|7.8 |16.0 |139

|7.8 |15.2 |219

|7.4 |14.1 |113

|7.1 |13.5 |109

|7.0 |13.9 |94

|6.9 |14.5 |83

|7.1 |15.4 |109

|7.2 |15.9 |75

|6.5 |16.1 |24

|maxprecip = 350

|float = none

|clear = none

|source = [http://en.climate-data.org/location/49974/ Climate-data.org – Aquitania]

}}

| align=center | {{climate chart

| {{center|NE: Soatá – 1950 m}}

|12.0 |24.7 |41

|12.2 |25.1 |58

|12.8 |25.1 |88

|13.3 |23.9 |271

|13.2 |23.4 |241

|12.9 |23.0 |126

|12.4 |23.2 |101

|12.6 |23.4 |103

|12.5 |23.5 |155

|12.9 |23.1 |260

|13.0 |23.3 |163

|12.3 |23.8 |84

|maxprecip = 350

|float = none

|clear = none

|source = [http://en.climate-data.org/location/50195/ Climate-data.org – Soatá]

}}

align=center | {{climate chart

| {{center|SW: Tibacuy – 1647 m}}

|15.2 |23.8 |72

|15.3 |24.3 |90

|15.9 |24.5 |109

|16.3 |23.9 |170

|16.2 |23.6 |155

|15.4 |23.3 |88

|15.5 |23.9 |57

|15.5 |24.1 |52

|15.0 |24.3 |80

|15.2 |23.4 |214

|15.1 |22.7 |216

|14.9 |23.3 |100

|maxprecip = 350

|float = none

|clear = none

|source = [http://en.climate-data.org/location/49841/ Climate-data.org – Tibacuy]

}}

| align=center | File:ConfederaciónMuisca.png

| align=center | File:Altiplano Cundiboyacense (subdivisions).png

| align=center | {{climate chart

| {{center|SE: Ubalá – 1949 m}}

|11.3 |23.4 |47

|12.2 |23.6 |93

|13.4 |23.5 |136

|13.7 |23.0 |216

|13.7 |22.3 |290

|13.2 |21.1 |360

|13.0 |21.0 |332

|12.8 |21.3 |276

|12.4 |21.9 |205

|12.7 |22.4 |188

|12.7 |22.5 |132

|12.0 |22.7 |72

|maxprecip = 350

|float = none

|clear = none

|source = [http://en.climate-data.org/location/49881/ Climate-data.org – Ubalá]

}}

align=center | {{climate chart

| {{center|Bacatá – 2700 m}}

| 4.2 |19.2 |34

| 3.6 |19.4 |46

| 6.6 |19.3 |67

| 7.2 |18.8 |113

| 8.3 |18.4 |102

| 9.1 |17.8 |63

| 7.7 |17.6 |47

| 7.5 |17.8 |47

| 7.2 |18.2 |56

| 6.5 |18.2 |119

| 7.6 |18.4 |112

| 5.0 |18.8 |60

| maxprecip = 350

| float = none

| clear = none

| source = [http://en.climate-data.org/location/5115/ Climate-data.org – Bogotá]

}}

| align=center | {{climate chart

| {{center|Hunza – 2820 m}}

| 6.8 |18.8 |23

| 7.3 |19.1 |30

| 8.2 |19.2 |64

| 8.8 |18.2 |116

| 8.9 |17.5 |108

| 8.3 |16.3 |92

| 7.9 |16.0 |70

| 7.9 |16.6 |69

| 7.8 |17.0 |72

| 8.2 |17.3 |122

| 8.3 |18.0 |108

| 7.3 |18.3 |43

| maxprecip = 350

| float = none

| clear = none

| source = [http://en.climate-data.org/location/5328/ Climate-data.org – Tunja]

}}

| align=center | {{climate chart

| {{center|Suamox – 2569 m}}

| 8.1 |21.7 |19

| 8.6 |22.0 |31

| 9.0 |22.1 |58

| 10.0 |20.8 |114

| 10.1 |20.1 |107

| 9.4 |19.4 |65

| 8.6 |19.1 |49

| 8.7 |19.5 |51

| 8.7 |19.8 |64

| 9.5 |19.9 |116

| 9.3 |20.5 |89

| 8.2 |20.9 |35

| maxprecip = 350

| float = none

| clear = none

| source = [http://en.climate-data.org/location/1034032/ Climate-data.org – Sogamoso]

}}

| {{climate chart

| {{center|Tundama – 2590 m}}

|7.2 |21.1 |21

|7.9 |21.5 |43

|8.0 |21.6 |65

|9.3 |20.4 |123

|9.4 |19.7 |126

|8.6 |19.1 |75

|7.8 |19.1 |54

|7.8 |19.3 |54

|7.9 |19.5 |74

|8.8 |19.3 |143

|8.6 |20.0 |92

|7.4 |20.6 |42

|maxprecip = 350

|float = none

|clear = none

|source = [http://en.climate-data.org/location/4967/ Climate-data.org – Duitama]

}}

colspan=4 align=center | The climates (Af-Cfb-Cwb) of the geographic (NW, NE, SW and SE) and topographic extremes and for the four main settlements of the Muisca Confederation situated on the Altiplano,
from SW to NE; Bacatá, Hunza, Suamox and Tundama are rather constant over the year with wetter periods in April–May and October–November

Muisca Confederation

File:Mapa Imperio Muisca.PNG

In the times before the Spanish conquest of the Muisca, the central part of present-day Colombia; the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes was inhabited by the Muisca people who were organised in a loose confederation of rulers. The central authorities of Bacatá in the south and Hunza in the north were called zipa and zaque respectively. Other rulers were the iraca priest in sacred City of the Sun Sugamuxi, the Tundama of Tundama and various other caciques (chiefs). The Muisca spoke Chibcha, in their own language called Muysccubun; "language of the people".

The Muisca people, different from the other three great civilisations of the Americas; the Maya, Aztec and Inca, did not build grand stone architecture. Their settlements were relatively small and consisted of bohíos; circular houses of wood and clay, organised around a central market square with the house of the cacique in the centre. Roads were present to connect the settlements with each other and with the surrounding indigenous groups, of which the Guane and Lache to the north, the Panche and Muzo to the west and Guayupe, Achagua and Tegua to the east were the most important.

= History =

== Prehistory ==

{{see also|Altiplano Cundiboyacense#Prehistory}}

Early Amerindian settlers led a hunter-gatherer life among still extant megafauna living in cool habitats around Pleistocene lakes, of which the humedales in Bogotá, Lake Suesca, Lake Fúquene and Lake Herrera are notable examples. Multiple evidences of late Pleistocene to middle Holocene population of the Bogotá savanna, the high plateau in the Colombian Andes, have been found to date. As is common with caves and rock shelters, Tequendama was inhabited from around 11,000 years BP, and continuing into the prehistorical, Herrera and Muisca periods, making it the oldest site of Colombia, together with El Abra (12,500 BP), located north of Zipaquirá and Tibitó, located within the boundaries of Tocancipá (11,740 BP).{{in lang|es}} [http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/2011/03/13/1-nivel-paleoindio-abrigos-rocosos-del-tequendama/ Nivel Paleoindio. Abrigos rocosos del Tequendama] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20160429174826/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/2011/03/13/1-nivel-paleoindio-abrigos-rocosos-del-tequendama/ |date=2016-04-29 }}Gómez Mejía, 2012, p.153 The oldest human remains and the oldest complete skeleton were discovered at Tequendama and has been named "Hombre del Tequendama" or Homo Tequendama. Other artefacts have been found in Gachalá (9100 BP), Sueva (Junín) and Zipacón.Ocampo López, 2007, p.27 Just west of the Altiplano, the oldest archaeological remains were found; in Pubenza, part of Tocaima and have been dated at 16,000 years Before Present.Ocampo López, 2007, p.26

{{clear}}

== Pre-Columbian era ==

{{Timeline of inhabitation of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense}}

=== Herrera Period ===

class="wikitable" align=right width=300

! Period
name

! Start
age

! End
age

bgcolor=lightgrey | Herrera

| 800 BCE

| 800

bgcolor=lightyellow | Early Muisca

| 800

| 1200

bgcolor=#FFD500 | Late Muisca

| 1200

| 1537

colspan=3 valign=center align=center | Kruschek, 2003{{in lang|es}} [http://agenciadenoticias.unal.edu.co/detalle/article/arqueologia-del-periodo-herrera-bajo-abrigos-rocosos-de-facatativa.html Herrera Period] – Universidad Nacional de Colombia

{{main|Herrera Period}}

The Herrera Period is a phase in the history of Colombia. It is part of the Andean preceramic and ceramic, time equivalent of the North American pre-Columbian formative and classic stages and age dated by various archaeologists.{{in lang|es}} [http://www.cadb.pitt.edu/samaca/cronologia.pdf Chronology of pre-Columbian periods: Herrera and Muisca] The Herrera Period predates the age of the Muisca people, who inhabited the Altiplano Cundiboyacense before the Spanish conquest of the Muisca and postdates the lithic formative stage and prehistory of the eastern Andean region in Colombia. The Herrera Period is usually defined as ranging from 800 BCE to 800 AD,Kruschek, 2003 although some scholars date it as early as 1500 BCE, considered as the "Early Herrera Period".Langebaek, 1995, Ch.4, p.70

Ample evidence of the Herrera Period has been uncovered on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense and main archaeologists contributing to the present knowledge about the Herrera Period are scholars Ana María Groot, Gonzalo Correal Urrego, Thomas van der Hammen, Carl Henrik Langebaek Rueda, Sylvia M. Broadbent, Marianne Cardale de Schrimpff and others.

=== Muisca ===

{{Muisca sidebar}}

{{main|Muisca}}

The Muisca were polytheistic and their religion and mythology was closely connected with the natural area they were inhabiting. They had a thorough understanding of astronomical parameters and developed a complex luni-solar calendar; the Muisca calendar. According to the calendar they had specific times for sowing, harvest and the organisation of festivals where they sang, danced and played music and drank their national drink chicha in great quantities.

The most respected members of the community were mummified and the mummies were not buried, yet displayed in their temples, in natural locations such as caves and even carried on their backs during warfare to impress their enemies.

Their art is the most famous remnant of their culture, as living spaces, temples and other existing structures have been destroyed by the Spanish who colonised the Muisca territories. A primary example of their fine goldworking is the Muisca raft, together with more objects made of gold, tumbaga, ceramics and cotton displayed in the Museo del Oro in Bogotá, the ancient capital of the southern Muisca.

The Muisca were a predominantly agricultural society with small-scale farmfields, part of more extensive terrains. To diversify their diet, they traded mantles, gold, emeralds and salt for fruits, vegetables, coca, yopo and cotton cultivated in lower altitude warmer terrains populated by their neighbours, the Muzo, Panche, Yarigui, Guane, Guayupe, Achagua, Tegua, Lache, Sutagao and U'wa. Trade of products grown farther away happened with the Calima, Pijao and Caribbean coastal communities around the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

The Muisca economy was self-sufficient regarding the basic supplies,{{clarify|date=April 2021}} thanks to the use of raised terraces in agriculture. The system of trade was well established providing both the higher social classes and the general population abundances of gold, feathers, marine snails, coca, yopo and other luxury goods. Markets were held every four to eight days in various settlements throughout the Muisca Confederation and special markets were organised around festivities where merchants from far outside the Andes were trading their goods with the Muisca.

Apart from agriculture, the Muisca were well developed in the production of different crafts, using the raw materials traded with surrounding indigenous peoples. Famous are the golden and tumbaga objects made by the Muisca people. Cotton mantles, cloths and nets were made by the Muisca women and traded for valuable goods, tropical fruits and small cotton cloths were used as money. The Muisca were unique in South America for having real coins of gold, called tejuelos.

Mining was an important source of income for the Muisca, who were called "Salt People" because of their salt mines in Zipaquirá, Nemocón and Tausa. Like their western neighbours, the Muzo—who were called "The Emerald People"—they mined emeralds in their territories, mainly in Somondoco. Carbon was found throughout the region of the Muisca in Eocene sediments and used for the fires for cooking and the production of salt and golden ornaments.

The people used a decimal counting system, based on the digits of the hand. Their system went from 1 to 10 and for higher numerations they used the prefix quihicha or qhicha, which means "foot" in their Chibcha language Muysccubun. Eleven became thus "foot one", twelve "foot two", etc. As in the other pre-Columbian civilizations, the number 20 was special. It was the total number of all body extremities; fingers and toes. The Muisca used two forms to express twenty: "foot ten"; quihícha ubchihica or their exclusive word gueta, derived from gue, which means "house". Numbers between 20 and 30 were counted gueta asaqui ata ("twenty plus one"; 21), gueta asaqui ubchihica ("twenty plus ten"; 30). Larger numbers were counted as multiples of twenty; gue-bosa ("20 times 2"; 40), gue-hisca ("20 times 5"; 100). The Muisca script consisted of hieroglyphs, only used for numerals.Izquierdo Peña, 2009

Territorial organization

{{History of the Muisca}}

= Bacatá =

File:Sabana de Bogota.png

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
scope="col" | Municipality

! scope="col" | Department
bold is capital

! scope="col" | Ruler(s)
bold is seat

! scope="col" | Altitude
urban centre (m)

! scope="col" | Surface area
(km2)

! scope="col" | Remarks

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Bacatá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2640

| align=center | 1587

| align=center | Muisca mummy found
Important market town
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia Bogotá location map.png

align=center | Bojacá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2598

| align=center | 109

| align=center | Lake Herrera
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Bojacá.svg

align=center | Cajicá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2558

| align=center | 50.4

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Cajicá.svg

align=center | La Calera

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2718

| align=center | 317

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - La Calera.svg

align=center | Cáqueza

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 1746

| align=center | 38

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Cáqueza.svg

align=center | Chía

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2564

| align=center | 80

| align=center | Moon Temple
Herrera site
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Chía.svg

align=center | Choachí

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 1923

| align=center | 223

| align=center | Choachí Stone found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Choachí.svg

align=center | Chocontá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2655

| align=center | 301.1

| align=center | Important market town
Battle of Chocontá (~1490)
Fortification between zipa & zaque

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Chocontá.svg

align=center | Cogua

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2600

| align=center | 113

| align=center | Muisca ceramics production
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Cogua.svg

align=center | Cota

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2566

| align=center | 55

| align=center | Petrographs found
Still Muisca people living

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Cota.svg

align=center | Cucunubá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2590

| align=center | 112

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Cucunubá.svg

align=center | Facatativá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2586

| align=center | 158

| align=center | Piedras del Tunjo

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Facatativá.svg

align=center | Funza

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2548

| align=center | 70

| align=center | Important market town

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Funza.svg

align=center | Gachancipá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2568

| align=center | 44

| align=center | Muisca mummy found
Muisca ceramics production

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Gachancipá.svg

align=center | Guasca

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2710

| align=center | 346

| align=center | Siecha Lakes
Muisca ceramics production
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Guasca.svg

align=center | Madrid

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2554

| align=center | 120.5

| align=center | Lake Herrera
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Madrid.svg

align=center | Mosquera

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2516

| align=center | 107

| align=center | Lake Herrera
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Mosquera.svg

align=center | Nemocón

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2585

| align=center | 98.1

| align=center | Muisca salt mines
Preceramic site Checua
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Nemocón.svg

align=center | Pacho

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2136

| align=center | 403.3

| align=center | Important market town

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Pacho.svg

align=center | Pasca

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2180

| align=center | 246.24

| align=center | Battle of Pasca (~1470)
Muisca raft found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Pasca.svg

align=center | El Rosal

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2685

| align=center | 86.48

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - El Rosal.svg

align=center | San Antonio
del Tequendama

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 1540

| align=center | 82

| align=center | Tequendama Falls
Fortification against Panche
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - San Antonio del Tequendama.svg

align=center | Sesquilé

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2595

| align=center | 141

| align=center | Lake Guatavita
Minor Muisca salt mines

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Sesquilé.svg

align=center | Sibaté

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2700

| align=center | 125.6

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Sibaté.svg

align=center | Soacha

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2565

| align=center | 184.45

| align=center | Preceramic site Tequendama
Herrera site
Muisca ceramics production
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Soacha.svg

align=center | Sopó

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2650

| align=center | 111.5

| align=center | Herrera site

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Sopó.svg

align=center | Subachoque

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2663

| align=center | 211.53

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Subachoque.svg

align=center | Suesca

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2584

| align=center | 177

| align=center | 150 Muisca mummies found
Lake Suesca
Muisca ceramics production
Important market town
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Suesca.svg

align=center | Sutatausa

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2550

| align=center | 67

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Sutatausa.svg

align=center | Tabio

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2569

| align=center | 74.5

| align=center | Hot springs used by the Muisca

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Tabio.svg

align=center | Tausa

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2931

| align=center | 204

| align=center | Muisca salt mines
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Tausa.svg

align=center | Tena

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 1384

| align=center | 55

| align=center | Fortification against Panche
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Tena.svg

align=center | Tenjo

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2587

| align=center | 108

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Tenjo.svg

align=center | Tibacuy

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa & Panche

| align=center | 1647

| align=center | 84.4

| align=center | Border with Panche
Fortification against Panche & Sutagao
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Tibacuy.svg

align=center | Tocancipá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2605

| align=center | 73.51

| align=center | Preceramic site Tibitó
Muisca ceramics production
Important market town
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Tocancipá.svg

align=center | Zipaquirá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2650

| align=center | 197

| align=center | El Abra
Muisca salt mines
Important market town
Petrographs and petroglyphs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Zipaquirá.svg

align=center | Fúquene

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa
zaque

| align=center | 2750

| align=center | 90

| align=center | Lake Fúquene

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Fúquene.svg

align=center | Simijaca

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa (1490–1537)

| align=center | 2559

| align=center | 107

| align=center | Conquered by zipa Saguamanchica
upon zaque Michuá (~1490)

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Simijaca.svg

align=center | Susa

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa (1490–1537)

| align=center | 2655

| align=center | 86

| align=center | Conquered by zipa Saguamanchica
upon zaque Michuá (~1490)
Lake Fúquene

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Susa.svg

align=center | Ubaté

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa (1490–1537)

| align=center | 2556

| align=center | 102

| align=center | Conquered by zipa Saguamanchica
upon zaque Michuá (~1490)
Muisca mummy found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Ubaté.svg

align=center | Zipacón

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zipa

| align=center | 2550

| align=center | 70

| align=center | Agriculture
Place of meditation for the zipa
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Zipacón.svg

= Chipazaque =

File:Junin desde el Parque Ararat ó Parque Alemania.jpg

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
scope="col" | Municipality

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Ruler(s)

! scope="col" | Altitude
(m)

! scope="col" | Surface area
(km2)

! scope="col" | Remarks

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Junín

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | chipazaque

| align=center | 2300

| align=center | 337

| align=center | Shared between
zipa and zaque
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Junín.svg

= Hunza =

File:Beryl-122885.jpg]]

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
scope="col" | Municipality

! scope="col" | Department
bold is capital

! scope="col" | Ruler(s)
bold is seat

! scope="col" | Altitude
(m)

! scope="col" | Surface area
(km2)

! scope="col" | Remarks

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Hunza

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2820

| align=center | 121.4

| align=center | Hunzahúa Well
Cojines del Zaque
Goranchacha Temple
Muisca mummy found
Important market town
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tunja.svg

align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2420

| align=center | 48

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Boyaca.svg

align=center | Buenavista

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2100

| align=center | 125

| align=center | Border with Muzo
Nose piece and pectoral found,
dated at 620 and 990 AD respectively{{in lang|es}} [https://archive.today/20150602103106/http://www.buenavista-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Buenavista]

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Buenavista.svg

align=center | Chinavita

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1763

| align=center | 148

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Chinavita.svg

align=center | Chíquiza

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2900

| align=center | 119.52

| align=center | Lake Iguaque

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Chiquiza.svg

align=center | Chitaraque

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1575

| align=center | 157.65

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Chitaraque.svg

align=center | Chivatá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2903

| align=center | 56

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Chivata.svg

align=center | Ciénega

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2460

| align=center | 73

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Cienega.svg

align=center | Cucaita

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2650

| align=center | 43.58

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Cucaita.svg

align=center | Gachantivá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2450

| align=center | 66

| align=center | Muisca mummy found
Muisca copper mines

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Gachantiva.svg

align=center | Garagoa

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1650

| align=center | 191.75

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Garagoa.svg

align=center | Macanal

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1680

| align=center | 199.5

| align=center | Border with Tegua

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Macanal.svg

align=center | Motavita

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2690

| align=center | 62

| align=center | Coca market town
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Motavita.svg

align=center | Oicatá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2815

| align=center | 59

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Oicata.svg

align=center | Pachavita

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1985

| align=center | 68

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Pachavita.svg

align=center | Ramiriquí

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2325

| align=center | 146.5

| align=center | Place of death of Quemuenchatocha
Important ceramics production
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Ramiriqui.svg

align=center | Sáchica

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2150

| align=center | 62.4

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Sachica.svg

align=center | Samacá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2660

| align=center | 172.9

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Samaca.svg

align=center | San Miguel de Sema

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2615

| align=center | 90

| align=center | Lake Fúquene

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - San Miguel de Sema.svg

align=center | Siachoque

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2760

| align=center | 125

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Siachoque.svg

align=center | Somondoco

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1670

| align=center | 58.7

| align=center | Muisca emerald mines
Important market town

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Somondoco.svg

align=center | Sutamarchán

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1800

| align=center | 102

| align=center | Muisca ceramics production

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Sutamarchan.svg

align=center | Tinjacá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2175

| align=center | 79.3

| align=center | Muisca ceramics production

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tinjaca.svg

align=center | Tipacoque

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1850

| align=center | 72.1

| align=center | Chicamocha Canyon

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tipacoque.svg

align=center | Turmequé

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2389

| align=center | 106

| align=center | Important market town
Fortification between zipa & zaque

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Turmeque.svg

align=center | Villa de Leyva

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2149

| align=center | 128

| align=center | El Infiernito
Lake Iguaque
Muisca mummy found
Important market town

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Villa de Leyva.svg

align=center | Sora

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2650

| align=center | 42

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Sora.svg

align=center | Soracá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2942

| align=center | 57

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Soraca.svg

align=center | Sotaquirá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2860

| align=center | 288.65

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Sotaquira.svg

align=center | Sutatenza

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1890

| align=center | 41.26

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Sutatenza.svg

align=center | Tibaná

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2115

| align=center | 121.76

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tibana.svg

align=center | Togüí

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1650

| align=center | 118

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Togui.svg

align=center | Tuta

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2600

| align=center | 165

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tuta.svg

align=center | Ventaquemada

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2630

| align=center | 159.3

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Ventaquemada.svg

align=center | Viracachá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2520

| align=center | 68

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Viracacha.svg

align=center | Zetaquirá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1665

| align=center | 262

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Zetaquira.svg

align=center | Almeida

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1925

| align=center | 57.98

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Almeida.svg

align=center | La Capilla

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1750

| align=center | 57.26

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - La Capilla.svg

align=center | Jenesano

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2076

| align=center | 59

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Jenesano.svg

align=center | Nuevo Colón

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2500

| align=center | 51

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Nuevo Colon.svg

align=center | Rondón

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2075

| align=center | 158

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Rondon.svg

align=center | Lenguazaque

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2589

| align=center | 15.36

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Lenguazaque.svg

align=center | Machetá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2094

| align=center | 229.35

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Machetá.svg

align=center | Tibiritá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 1980

| align=center | 57.2

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Tibirita.svg

align=center | Villapinzón

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | zaque

| align=center | 2715

| align=center | 249

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Villapinzón.svg

= Iraca =

File:Templo del sol.jpg

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
scope="col" | Municipality

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Ruler(s)
bold is seat

! scope="col" | Altitude
(m)

! scope="col" | Surface area
(km2)

! scope="col" | Remarks

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Suamox

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca
Nompanim
Sugamuxi

| align=center | 2569

| align=center | 208.54

| align=center | Sun Temple
Muisca mummy found
Muisca carbon mines

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Sogamoso.svg

align=center | Aquitania

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 3030

| align=center | 943

| align=center | Lake Tota

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Aquitania.svg

align=center | Busbanzá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 2472

| align=center | 22.5

| align=center | Elector of new iraca

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Busbanza.svg

align=center | Cuítiva

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 2750

| align=center | 43

| align=center | Lake Tota
Statue of Bochica

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Cuitiva.svg

align=center | Firavitoba

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 2500

| align=center | 109.9

| align=center | Elector of new iraca

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Firavitoba.svg

align=center | Gámeza

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 2750

| align=center | 88

| align=center | Herrera site
Muisca mummy found
Minor Muisca salt mines
Muisca carbon mines
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Gameza.svg

align=center | Iza

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 2560

| align=center | 34

| align=center | Herrera site
Lake Tota
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Iza.svg

align=center | Mongua

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 2975

| align=center | 365.5

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Mongua.svg

align=center | Monguí

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 2900

| align=center | 81

| align=center | Petroglyphs
Birthplaces (Tortolitas)

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Mongui.svg

align=center | Pesca

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 2858

| align=center | 282

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Pesca.svg

align=center | Tasco

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 2530

| align=center | 167

| align=center | Muisca mummy found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tasco.svg

align=center | Toca

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 2810

| align=center | 165

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Toca.svg

align=center | Tota

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca

| align=center | 2870

| align=center | 314

| align=center | Lake Tota

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tota.svg

align=center | Socotá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca
Tundama

| align=center | 2443

| align=center | 600.11

| align=center | Muisca mummy found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Socota.svg

align=center | Tibasosa

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama
iraca

| align=center | 2538

| align=center | 94.3

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tibasosa.svg

= Tundama =

File:Pantano de Vargas - panoramio.jpg remain]]

  • Capital – Tundama
  • Area – {{convert|2920|km2|sqmi}}
  • Average elevation – {{convert|2470|m|ft}}
  • Last ruler – Tundama
  • Date of conquest – Late December 1539 (Duitama) – Baltasar Maldonado
  • Important settlements – Tundama, Onzaga, Soatá, Chitagoto (now Paz de Río)

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
scope="col" | Municipality

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Ruler(s)
bold is seat

! scope="col" | Altitude
(m)

! scope="col" | Surface area
(km2)

! scope="col" | Remarks

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Tundama

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2590

| align=center | 266.93

| align=center | Seat of Tundama
In ancient lake

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Duitama.svg

align=center | Onzaga

| align=center | Santander

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 1960

| align=center | 486.76

| align=center | Important for wool and cotton production

| align=center | File:Colombia - Santander - Onzaga.svg

align=center | Cerinza

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2750

| align=center | 61.63

| align=center | Monument to the Muisca

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Cerinza.svg

align=center | Paz de Río

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2200

| align=center | 116

| align=center | Coca market town

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Paz del Rio.svg

align=center | Paipa

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2525

| align=center | 305.924

| align=center | Thermal springs

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Paipa.svg

align=center | Sativanorte

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2600

| align=center | 184

| align=center | Herrera site

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Sativanorte.svg

align=center | Sativasur

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2600

| align=center | 81

| align=center | Muisca mummy SO10-IX found
Herrera site

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Sativasur.svg

align=center | Soatá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 1950

| align=center | 136

| align=center | Herrera site
Coca market town

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Soata.svg

align=center | Belén

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2650

| align=center | 83.6

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Belen.svg

align=center | Corrales

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2470

| align=center | 60.85

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Corrales.svg

align=center | Floresta

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2506

| align=center | 86

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Floresta.svg

align=center | Nobsa

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2510

| align=center | 55.39

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Nobsa.svg

align=center | Santa Rosa de Viterbo

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2753

| align=center | 107

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Santa Rosa de Viterbo.svg

align=center | Susacón

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama

| align=center | 2480

| align=center | 191

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Susacon.svg

align=center | Tibasosa

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Tundama
iraca

| align=center | 2538

| align=center | 94.3

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tibasosa.svg

align=center | Socotá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | iraca
Tundama

| align=center | 2443

| align=center | 600.11

| align=center | Muisca mummy found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Socota.svg

= Independent ''caciques'' =

File:Malokas.jpg

  • Capital – none
  • Area – {{convert|3080|km2|sqmi}}
  • Average elevation – {{convert|2140|m|ft}}
  • Important caciques – Guatavita, Ubaté, Chiquinquirá, Ubaque, Tenza, Vélez

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
scope="col" | Municipality
{{small|bold is major cacique}}

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Ruler(s)

! scope="col" | Altitude
(m)

! scope="col" | Surface area
(km2)

! scope="col" | Remarks

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Vélez

| align=center | Santander

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2050

| align=center | 271.34

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Santander - Vélez.svg

align=center | Chipatá

| align=center | Santander

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1820

| align=center | 94.17

| align=center | First town conquered by the Spanish

| align=center | File:Colombia - Santander - Chipatá.svg

align=center | Güepsa

| align=center | Santander

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1540

| align=center | 33.08

| align=center | Border with Guane
Border with Yarigui

| align=center | File:Colombia - Santander - Güepsa.svg

align=center | Charalá

| align=center | Santander

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1290

| align=center | 411

| align=center | Border with Guane

| align=center | File:Colombia - Santander - Charalá.svg

align=center | Arcabuco

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2739

| align=center | 155

| align=center | Statue honouring the Muisca warriors

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Arcabuco.svg

align=center | Betéitiva

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2575

| align=center | 123

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Beteitiva.svg

align=center | Boavita

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2114

| align=center | 159

| align=center | Muisca mummy found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Boavita.svg

align=center | Chiquinquirá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2556

| align=center | 133

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Chiquinquira.svg

align=center | Cómbita

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2825

| align=center | 149

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Combita.svg

align=center | Covarachía

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2320

| align=center | 103

| align=center | Herrera site

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Covarachia.svg

align=center | Guateque

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1815

| align=center | 36.04

| align=center | Religious rituals at Guatoc hill

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Guateque.svg

align=center | Guayatá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1767

| align=center | 112

| align=center | Muisca money (tejuelo) found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Guayata.svg

align=center | Moniquirá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1669

| align=center | 220

| align=center | Muisca mummy found
Muisca copper mines

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Moniquira.svg

align=center | Pisba

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2400

| align=center | 469.12

| align=center | Muisca mummy found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Pisba.svg

align=center | Ráquira

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2150

| align=center | 233

| align=center | Muisca ceramics production

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Raquira.svg

align=center | Saboyá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2600

| align=center | 246.9

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Saboya.svg

align=center | Tópaga

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2900

| align=center | 37

| align=center | Muisca mummy found
Muisca carbon mines

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Topaga.svg

align=center | Tutazá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1890

| align=center | 135

| align=center | Muisca ceramics production

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tutaza.svg

align=center | Tenza

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1600

| align=center | 51

| align=center | Tenza Valley

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tenza.svg

align=center | Chivor

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1800

| align=center | 108.36

| align=center | Muisca emerald mines

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Chivor.svg

align=center | Úmbita

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2480

| align=center | 148.17

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Umbita.svg

align=center | Carmen de Carupa

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2600

| align=center | 228

| align=center | Tunjo found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Carmen de Carupa.svg

align=center | Guatavita

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2680

| align=center | 247.3

| align=center | Muisca ceramics production
Main goldworking town
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Guatavita.svg

align=center | Gachetá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique Guatavita

| align=center | 1745

| align=center | 262.2

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Gachetá.svg

align=center | Guachetá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2688

| align=center | 177.45

| align=center | Minor Muisca salt mines
Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Guachetá.svg

align=center | Manta

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1924

| align=center | 105

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Manta.svg

align=center | Ubaque

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1867

| align=center | 104.96

| align=center | Last public religious ritual (1563)
Lake Ubaque

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Ubaque.svg

align=center | Ubalá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1949

| align=center | 505

| align=center | Muisca emerald mines

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Ubalá.svg

align=center | Chipaque

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2400

| align=center | 139.45

| align=center | Petrographs found

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Chipaque.svg

align=center | Fómeque

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1895

| align=center | 555.7

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Fómeque.svg

align=center | Quetame

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 1496

| align=center | 138.47

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Quetame.svg

align=center | Une

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2376

| align=center | 221

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Une.svg

align=center | Fosca

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | cacique

| align=center | 2080

| align=center | 126.02

| align=center | Fortification against Guayupe

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Fosca.svg

{{clear}}

Neighbouring indigenous groups

{{see also|Muisca economy#Trade|Spanish conquest of New Granada}}

class="wikitable" align=left
align=center | Yarigui people

| align=center colspan=2 | Guane people

| align=center colspan=2 | Lache people

| align=center rowspan=2 | U'wa people

align=center | Muzo people

| align=center colspan=2 rowspan=2 | File:ConfederaciónMuisca.png

| align=center colspan=2 rowspan=2 | File:Altiplano Cundiboyacense (subdivisions).png

align=center | Panche people

| align=center rowspan=2 | Achagua people

align=center colspan=2 | Sutagao people

| align=center colspan=2 | Guayupe people

| align=center | Tegua people

align=center colspan=6 | {{blue|Cariban}} languages • {{red|Chibchan}} languages • {{green|Arawakan}} languages
align=center colspan=6 | Yarigui and Lache not shown on map • Tegua shown as Tecua • U'wa shown as Tunebo
align=center colspan=6 | {{in lang|es}} [http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/nacional/asi-eramos-los-guanes-articulo-260576 Reconstruction of the Guane people] – El Espectador{{in lang|es}} [http://orlandomagno.blogcindario.com/2009/07/00062-tribus-indigenas-en-colombia.html Las Tribus Indígenas en Colombia][http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/tune1260 Chibcha-speaking U'wa][http://global.britannica.com/topic/Achagua Achagua in Encyclopædia Britannica]{{in lang|es}} [https://archive.today/20150530092830/http://www.miraflores-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Miraflores]{{in lang|es}} [http://www.destinosecoturisticos.com/meta/museo-guayupe-puerto-santander/ Description Guayupe]{{in lang|es}} [http://indiossutagaos.blogspot.com.co/2012/02/indios-sutagaos.html Indios Sutagaos][http://thecitypaperbogota.com/features/the-lost-panches/2027 The lost Panches]{{in lang|es}} [http://cvc.cervantes.es/lengua/thesaurus/pdf/27/TH_27_003_009_0.pdf El vocabulario Muzo-Colima de la relación de Juan Suárez de Cepeda (1582)]{{in lang|es}} [http://lenguasdecolombia.caroycuervo.gov.co/contenido/Lenguas-indigenas/Articulo/contenido/97& Apuntes para el análisis de la situación de la lengua Carare]

{{clear}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

{{div col end}}

{{clear}}

Sacred sites

{{main|Muisca mythology|Muisca religion}}

The sacred sites of the Muisca Confederation were based in the Muisca religion and mythology. The Muisca were a highly religious people with their own beliefs on the origin of the Earth and life and human sacrifices were no exception to please the gods for good harvests and prosperity.

Lake Guatavita, Guatavita, was the location where the new zipa would be inaugurated. It became known with the Spanish conquerors as the site of El Dorado where the new zipa was covered in gold dust and installed as the new ruler of the southern Muisca.{{in lang|es}} [http://www.casaculturalcolombiana.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=149&lang=en Legend of El Dorado on the shores of Lake Guatavita] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404042807/http://www.casaculturalcolombiana.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=149&lang=en |date=2016-04-04 }} – Casa Cultural Colombiana – accessed 21-04-2016

In the legends of the Muisca, humankind originated in Lake Iguaque, Monquirá, when the goddess Bachué came out from the lake with a boy in her arms. When the boy grew, they populated the Earth. They are considered the ancestors of the human race. Finally, they disappeared unto the lake in the shape of snakes.{{in lang|es}} [http://www.culturarecreacionydeporte.gov.co/es/bogotanitos/cuenta-la-leyenda/bachue-y-el-origen-del-hombre Birth of mankind from Lake Iguaque] – Cultura, Recreación y Deporte – accessed 21-04-2016

According to Muisca myths, the Tequendama Falls, outside Soacha, was the site where the first zipa Meicuchuca lost his lover who turned in a snake and disappeared in the waters of the Bogotá River.{{in lang|es}} [http://pueblosoriginarios.com/sur/caribe/muisca/serpiente.html Legend of the lover of Meicuchuca turning into a snake in the Tequendama Fallas] – Pueblos Originarios – accessed 21-04-2016Ocampo López, 2013, Ch.18, p.99

El Infiernito, close to the present town of Villa de Leyva was a sacred site where the Muisca erected structures based on astronomical parameters.{{in lang|es}} [http://pueblosoriginarios.com/sur/caribe/muisca/infiernito.html El Infiernito; astronomical site] – Pueblos OriginariosLangebaek, 2005b, p.282Izquierdo, 2014

= Other sacred sites =

File:LagunaDeGuatavita.jpg|Lake Guatavita; site of El Dorado

File:Panoramique_iguaque_2011.jpg|Lake Iguaque

File:Salto_de_Tequendama_1.jpeg|Tequendama Falls

File:Villa de Leyva el infiernito.jpg|El Infiernito; astronomical site

File:Cojines_del_Zaque._Vista_actual_(2015).JPG|Cojines del Zaque

Spanish conquests

{{multiple image

| align = right

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Map of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.png

| width1 = 330

| alt1 = Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

| link1 = Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

| caption1 = Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

| image2 = Cesar Topographic 2.png

| width2 = 131

| alt2 =

| link2 =

| caption2 = Topography Cesar

| image3 = Santander Topographic 2.png

| width3 = 265

| alt3 =

| link3 =

| caption3 = Topography Santander

| footer = The harsh expedition through the jungles of Magdalena, La Guajira, Cesar and Santander cost the lives of more than 80% of the troops and they hadn't found El Dorado...

}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| caption_align = center

| image1 = TISQUESUSA1.jpg

| width1 = 143

| alt1 = Tisquesusa

| link1 = Tisquesusa

| caption1 = Tisquesusa
(† 1537)

| image2 = 4_Zaquesazipa.jpg

| width2 = 186

| alt2 = Sagipa

| link2 = Sagipa

| caption2 = Sagipa
(† 1540)

| footer = Sagipa, or Saquesazipa, was the last ruler of Bacatá, as successor of Tisquesusa, defeated near Funza, on April 20, 1537, and died, as the prophecy said, "bathing in his own blood", due to attacks by the Spanish. His body was not found a year after. His defeat meant a new reign over the savanna and the foundation of Bogotá on August 6, 1538

}}

{{main|Spanish conquest of the Muisca}}

{{see also|Spanish conquest of the Chibchan Nations}}

= Conquest and early colonial period =

{{multiple image

| align = right

| caption_align = center

| image1 = QUEMUENCHATOCHA.jpg

| width1 = 143

| alt1 = Quemuenchatocha

| link1 = Quemuenchatocha

| caption1 = Quemuenchatocha
(† 1537)

| image2 = AQUIMINZAQUE.jpg

| width2 = 140

| alt2 = Aquiminzaque

| link2 = Aquiminzaque

| caption2 = Aquiminzaque
(† 1539)

| image3 = TupacamaruI.JPG

| width3 = 136

| alt3 = Túpac Amaru

| link3 = Túpac Amaru

| caption3 = Túpac Amaru
(† 1572)

| footer = Aquiminzaque, as successor of Quemuenchatocha, defeated in his home in Hunza, on August 20, 1537, was the last souvereign ruler of the Muisca and was decapitated by the Spanish, as would happen to Túpac Amaru of the Inca, 34 years later

}}

The conquest of the Muisca was the heaviest of all four Spanish expeditions to the great American civilisations.{{in lang|es}} [http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/historia/personajes_conquista Personajes de la Conquista a América] – Banco de la República More than 80 percent of the soldiers and horses that started the journey of a year to the northern Muisca Confederation did not survive it.{{in lang|es}} [http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/historia/gennrgun/gennrgun9x.htm List of conquistadors led by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada] – Banco de la República{{in lang|es}} [http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/historia/ilustre/ilus210.htm Biography Hernán Pérez de Quesada] – Banco de la República{{in lang|es}} [http://letras-uruguay.espaciolatino.com/aaa/bolivar_grimaldos_rafael/conquista_rapida_y_saqueo.htm Conquista rápida y saqueo cuantioso de Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada] Various settlements were founded by the Spanish between 1537 and 1539.{{in lang|es}} [http://www.chipata-santander.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Chipatá] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20150607021501/http://www.chipata-santander.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml |date=2015-06-07 }}{{in lang|es}} [http://www.guacheta-cundinamarca.gov.co/index.shtml#2 Official website Guachetá] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709074052/http://guacheta-cundinamarca.gov.co/index.shtml#2 |date=2017-07-09 }}{{in lang|es}} [https://archive.today/20150522163325/http://www.lenguazaque-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Lenguazaque]{{in lang|es}} [https://archive.today/20150515190317/http://www.suesca-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Suesca]{{in lang|es}} [http://www.funza-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Funza] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221031514/http://www.funza-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml |date=2015-12-21 }}{{in lang|es}} [http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-331082 Engativá celebra hoy sus 458 años] – El Tiempo{{in lang|es}} [https://archive.today/20140310084932/http://www.choconta-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Chocontá]{{in lang|es}} [http://www.tenza-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Tenza] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20150602152114/http://www.tenza-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml |date=2015-06-02 }}{{in lang|es}} [http://www.turmeque-boyaca.gov.co/index.shtml Official website Turmequé] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112195147/http://turmeque-boyaca.gov.co/index.shtml |date=2016-01-12 }}

A delegation of more than 900 men left the tropical city of Santa Marta and went on a harsh expedition through the heartlands of Colombia in search of El Dorado and the civilisation that produced all this precious gold. The leader of the first and main expedition under Spanish flag was Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, with his brother Hernán second in command. Several other soldiers were participating in the journey, who would later become encomenderos and taking part in the conquest of other parts of Colombia. Other contemporaneous expeditions into the unknown interior of the Andes, all searching for the mythical land of gold, were starting from later Venezuela, led by Bavarian and other German conquistadors and from the south, starting in the previously founded Kingdom of Quito in later Ecuador.

The first phase of the conquest was ended by the victory of the few conquistadors left over Tisquesusa, the last zipa of Bacatá, who fell and died after the battle at Funza, on the Bogotá savanna, April 20, 1537. The arrival of the Spanish conquerors was revealed to Tisquesusa by the mohan Popón, from the village of Ubaque. He told the Muisca ruler that foreigners were coming and Tisquesusa would die "bathing in his own blood".{{in lang|es}} [http://pueblosoriginarios.com/biografias/tisquesusa.html Tisquesusa would die bathing in his own blood] – Pueblos Originarios When Tisquesusa was informed of the advancing invasion of the Spanish soldiers, he sent a spy to Suesca to find out more about their army strength, weapons and with how many warriors they could be beaten. The zipa left the capital Bacatá and took shelter in Nemocón which directed the Spanish troops to there, during this march attacked by more than 600 Muisca warriors.{{in lang|es}} [http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/biografias/tisquesusa Zipa Tisquesusa] – Banco de la República

When Tisquesusa retreated in his fort in Cajicá he allegedly told his men he would not be able to combat against the strong Spanish army in possession of weapons that produced "thunder and lightning". He chose to return to Bacatá and ordered the capital to be evacuated, resulting in an abandoned site when the Spanish arrived. In search for the Muisca ruler the conquistadores went north to find Tisquesusa in the surroundings of Facatativá where they attacked him at night.

Tisquesusa was thrusted by the sword of one of De Quesada's soldiers but without knowing he was the zipa he let him go, after taking the expensive mantle of the ruler. Tisquesusa fled hurt into the mountains and died of his wounds there. His body was only discovered a year later because of the black vultures circling over it.

When Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada found out the caciques were conspiring against him, he sent out several expeditions of soldiers. His captain Juan de Céspedes went south to found Pasca on July 15, 1537.{{in lang|es}} [http://www.pasca-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Pasca] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20150522003332/http://www.pasca-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml |date=2015-05-22 }} Hernán was sent north and Gonzalo himself went northeast, to search for the mythical Land of Gold El Dorado. There he did not find golden cities, but emeralds, the Muisca were extracting in Chivor and Somondoco. First foundation was Engativá, presently a locality of Bogotá, on May 22, 1537. Passing through Suba, Chía, Cajicá, Tocancipá, Gachancipá, Guatavita and Sesquilé, he arrived in Chocontá, founding the modern town on June 9. The journey went eastward into the Tenza Valley through Machetá, Tibiritá, Guateque, Sutatenza and Tenza, founded on San Juan; June 24. On the same day, Hernán founded Sutatausa. Gonzalo continued northwest through La Capilla and Úmbita. He arrived in Turmequé that he founded on July 20.

In August 1537 Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada entered the territories of the zaque, who ruled from Hunza. When the Spanish conquerors entered the outskirts of Hunza and found a hill with poles were bodies were dangling, they named it Cerro de la Horca ("Gallow Hill").{{in lang|es}} [http://pueblosoriginarios.com/biografias/quemen.html Biography Quemuenchatocha] – Pueblos Originarios At the time of the conquest Quemuenchatocha was the zaque and he ordered his men to not submit to the European invaders or show them the way to his bohío. He sent messengers to the Spanish conquistadors with valuable peace offers. While this was happening, Quemuenchatocha had hidden his treasures from the Spanish. Hunza was located in a valley not as green as the Bogotá savanna. The advantage of the Spanish weaponry and the use of the horses quickly beat the Muisca warriors.

When Gonzalo arrived at the main bohío of Quemuenchatocha, he found the Muisca ruler sitting in his throne and surrounded by his closest companions. All men were dressed in expensive mantles and adorned with golden crowns. On August 20, 1537, the Spanish beat the zaque and the big and strong Muisca ruler was taken captive to Suesca. There he was tortured and the Spanish soldiers hoped he would reveal where he hid his precious properties. The absence of Quemuenchatocha paved the route for his nephew Aquiminzaque to succeed him as ruler of the northern Muisca, a practice common in Muisca traditions. When Quemuenchatocha was finally released from captivity in Suesca, he fled to Ramiriquí, where he died shortly after. The Spanish soldiers found gold, emeralds, silver, mantles and other valuables in Tunja. They were not able to take all the precious pieces and many were secretly taken away by the Muisca, using folded deer skins. They hid the

valuables in nearby hills.

{{clear right}}

class="wikitable" width=700 align=right

| rowspan=6 colspan=2 | File:Altiplano Cundiboyacense.png

| width=100 | Feb 1537

| colspan=2 width=200 | First contact @ Chipatá

Mar–Apr 1537

| colspan=2 width=200 | Expedition into Muisca Confederation

20 Apr 1537

| colspan=2 width=200 | Conquest of Funza upon zipa Tisquesusa

May–Aug 1537

| colspan=2 width=200 | Expedition & conquest in Tenza Valley

20 Aug 1537

| colspan=2 width=200 | Conquest Hunza, zaque Quemuenchatocha

Early Sep 1537

| colspan=2 width=200 | Conquest Sugamuxi, iraca Sugamuxi

rowspan=6 colspan=2 | File:ConfederaciónMuisca.png

| Oct 1537 – Feb 1538

| colspan=2 width=200 | Other foundations on Altiplano & valleys

6 Aug 1538

| colspan=2 width=200 | Foundation Santafé de Bogotá, by Gonzalo

20 Aug 1538

| colspan=2 width=200 | B. of Tocarema; Spanish & zipa beat Panche

6 Aug 1539

| colspan=2 width=200 | Foundation Tunja, by Gonzalo Suárez

15 Dec 1539

| colspan=2 width=200 | Conquest Tundama, by Baltasar Maldonado

Early 1540

| colspan=2 width=200 | Decapitation last zaque Aquiminzaque, Hernán

:I – Soldiers of the main expedition – Santa Marta-Funza and on – February – April 20, 1537

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! scope="col" | Name
leader in bold

! scope="col" | Nationality

! scope="col" | Years
active

! scope="col" | Encountered
bold is conquered

! scope="col" | Year
of
death

! scope="col" | Image

! scope="col" | Notes

align=center | Gonzalo Jiménez
de Quesada

| align=center | Granadian

| align=center | 1536–39
1569–72

| align=center | zipa
zaque

| align=center | 1579

| align=center | File:Jimenezdequesada.png

| align=center |

align=center | Juan Maldonado

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1536–39
1569–72

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center |

| align=center |

| align=center | {{refn|group=note|Not the same as Juan Maldonado, who was only 11 in 1536}}

align=center | Gonzalo Macías

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1536–39
1569–71

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center | 1571~

| align=center |

| align=center | Rodríguez Freyle, 1979 (1638), p.173

align=center | Hernán Pérez
de Quesada

| align=center | Granadian

| align=center | 1536–39
1540–42

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center | 1544

| align=center |

| align=center |

align=center | Gonzalo Suárez Rendón

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1536–39

| align=center | zipa, zaque

| align=center | 1590

| align=center |

| align=center | Rodríguez Freyle, 1979 (1638), p.84

align=center | Martín Galeano

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1536–39
1540–45

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center | 1554~

| align=center |

| align=center | Rodríguez Freyle, 1979 (1638), p.144

align=center | Lázaro Fonte

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1536–39
1540–42

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center | 1542

| align=center |

| align=center |

align=center | Juan de Céspedes

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1525–43

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center | 1573 or 1576

| align=center |

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/historia/ilustre/ilus74.htm Biography Juan de Céspedes] – Banco de la RepúblicaRodríguez Freyle, 1979 (1638), p.69

align=center | Juan de San Martín

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1536–39
1540–45

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center |

| align=center |

| align=center |

align=center | Antonio de Lebrija

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1536–39

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center | 1540

| align=center |

| align=center |

align=center | Ortún Velázquez de Velasco

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1536–39

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center | 1584

| align=center |

| align=center | Rodríguez Freyle, 1979 (1638), p.xii

align=center | Bartolomé Camacho Zambrano

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1536–39

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center |

| align=center |

| align=center |

align=center | Antonio Díaz de Cardoso

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1536–39

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center |

| align=center |

| align=center |

align=center | Pedro Fernández de Valenzuela

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1536–39

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center |

| align=center |

| align=center |

align=center | 640+ conquistadors
~80%

| align=center | mostly Castilian

| align=center | April 1536
-
April 1537

| align=center | Diseases, jaguars, crocodiles, climate,
various indigenous warfare

| align=center | 1536
1537

| align=center | File:Nativo do Novo Mundo lançando flecha com o propulsor ou estólica.pdf

| align=center |

:II & III – Soldiers of the expeditions De Belalcázar & Federmann (1535–1539)

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! scope="col" | Name
leader in bold

! scope="col" | Nationality

! scope="col" | Years
active

! scope="col" | Encountered
bold is conquered

! scope="col" | Year
of
death

! scope="col" | Image

! scope="col" | Notes

align=center | Sebastián de Belalcázar

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1514–39

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center | 1551

| align=center |

| align=center |

align=center | Baltasar Maldonado

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1543–52

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center | 1552

| align=center |

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/historia/ilustre/ilus154.htm Baltasar Maldonado] – Soledad Acosta Samper – Banco de la RepúblicaRodríguez Freyle, 1979 (1638), p.88Rodríguez Freyle, 1979 (1638), p.93Rodríguez Freyle, 1979 (1638), p.94

align=center | Nikolaus Federmann

| align=center | Bavarian

| align=center | 1535–39

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center | 1542

| align=center |

| align=center |

align=center | Miguel Holguín y Figueroa

| align=center | Castilian

| align=center | 1535–39

| align=center | Muisca

| align=center | 1576>

| align=center |

| align=center | Rodríguez Freyle, 1979 (1638), p.153

:I – 1 – Main expedition – inland and up from Chipatá to Funza – March – April 1537

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! scope="col" | Settlement
bold is founded

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Altitude (m)
urban centre

! scope="col" | Notes

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Chipatá

| align=center | Santander

| align=center | 8 March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 1820

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Santander - Chipatá.svg

align=center | Barbosa

| align=center | Santander

| align=center | March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 1610

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Santander - Barbosa.svg

align=center | Moniquirá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 1669

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [https://archive.today/20140310085148/http://www.moniquira-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Moniquirá]{{refn|group=note|Note: date of foundation says March 16, 1537, which cannot be correct, as the troops were already in Cundinamarca by that date}}

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Moniquira.svg

align=center | Santa Sofía

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2387

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Santa Sofia.svg

align=center | Sutamarchán

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 1800

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Sutamarchan.svg

align=center | Ráquira

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2150

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [https://archive.today/20150603095405/http://www.raquira-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Ráquira]

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Raquira.svg

align=center | Simijaca

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2559

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Simijaca.svg

align=center | Susa

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2655

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Susa.svg

align=center | Fúquene

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2750

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Fúquene.svg

align=center | Guachetá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 12 March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2688

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Guachetá.svg

align=center | Lenguazaque

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 13 March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2589

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Lenguazaque.svg

align=center | Cucunubá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 13–14 March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2590

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Cucunubá.svg

align=center | Suesca

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 14 March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2584

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Suesca.svg

align=center | Nemocón

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2585

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Nemocón.svg

align=center | Zipaquirá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2650

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Zipaquirá.svg

align=center | Cajicá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 23 March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2558

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20160604100801/http://cajica.gov.co/index.php/recurso-humano/item/206-historia History Cajicá]

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Cajicá.svg

align=center | Chía

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 24 March

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2564

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [http://www.colombiaturismoweb.com/DEPARTAMENTOS/CUNDINAMARCA/MUNICIPIOS/CHIA/CHIA.htm De Quesada celebrated the Holy Week in Chia]

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Chía.svg

align=center | Cota

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | March–April

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2566

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Cota.svg

align=center | Funza

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 20 April

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | 2548

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Funza.svg

:I – 2 – Gonzalo – Tenza Valley – Conquest of Hunza & Sugamuxi – May – August 20 & September, 1537

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! scope="col" | Settlement
bold is founded

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Note(s)

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Engativá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 22 May

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Bogotá - Engativá.svg

align=center | Suba

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | May

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Bogotá - Suba.svg

align=center | Chía

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | May

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Chía.svg

align=center | Cajicá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | May

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Cajicá.svg

align=center | Tocancipá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | May–June

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Tocancipá.svg

align=center | Gachancipá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | May–June

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Gachancipá.svg

align=center | Guatavita

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | May–June

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Guatavita.svg

align=center | Sesquilé
Lake Guatavita
El Dorado

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | May–June

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Sesquilé.svg

align=center | Chocontá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 9 June

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Chocontá.svg

align=center | Machetá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | June

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Machetá.svg

align=center | Tibiritá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | June

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Tibirita.svg

align=center | Guateque

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | June

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Guateque.svg

align=center | Sutatenza

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | June

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Sutatenza.svg

align=center | Tenza

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | 24 June

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tenza.svg

align=center | La Capilla

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | June–July

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - La Capilla.svg

align=center | Chivor

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | July

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [http://www.minadepiedras.com/es/la-esmeralda/yacimientos-de-esmeraldas.html History Chivor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302141101/http://www.minadepiedras.com/es/la-esmeralda/yacimientos-de-esmeraldas.html |date=2016-03-02 }}

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Chivor.svg

align=center | Úmbita

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | July

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Umbita.svg

align=center | Turmequé

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | 20 July

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Turmeque.svg

align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | 8 August

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [https://archive.today/20150530101655/http://www.boyaca-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Boyacá]

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Boyaca.svg

align=center | Ciénega

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | August

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Cienega.svg

align=center | Soracá

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | 20 August ~15:00

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [http://www.soraca-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Soracá]{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Soraca.svg

align=center | Hunza

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | 20 August

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tunja.svg

:3 – Hernán – Foundation of Sutatausa – June 24, 1537

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! scope="col" | Name

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Note(s)

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Sutatausa

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 24 June

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [http://www.sutatausa-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Sutatausa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212034232/http://www.sutatausa-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml |date=2016-02-12 }}

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Sutatausa.svg

:4 – Juan de Céspedes – Southern savanna – 1537

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! scope="col" | Name

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Note(s)

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Pasca

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 15 July

| align=center | 1537

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Pasca.svg

align=center | San Antonio del Tequendama

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center |

| align=center | 1539

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [http://www.sanantoniodeltequendama-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website San Antonio del Tequendama]{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - San Antonio del Tequendama.svg

:5 – Juan de San Martín – 1537–1550

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! scope="col" | Name

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Note(s)

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | El Colegio

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center |

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [https://archive.today/20140310084859/http://www.elcolegio-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website El Colegio]

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - El Colegio.svg

align=center | Cuítiva

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | 19 January

| align=center | 1550

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [https://archive.today/20150603173659/http://www.cuitiva-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Cuítiva]

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Cuitiva.svg

:6 – Gonzalo et al. – Foundations of Bogotá and savanna

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! scope="col" | Name

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Note(s)

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Bojacá

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 16 October

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [http://www.bojaca-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Bojacá] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011080747/http://www.bojaca-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml |date=2017-10-11 }}

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Bojacá.svg

align=center | Somondoco

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | 1 November

| align=center | 1537

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [http://www.somondoco-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Somondoco] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20150602144959/http://www.somondoco-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml |date=2015-06-02 }}

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Somondoco.svg

align=center | Une

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center | 23 February

| align=center | 1538

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [https://archive.today/20150517055638/http://www.une-cundinamarca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Une]

| align=center | File:Colombia - Cundinamarca - Une.svg

:7 – Gonzalo Suárez Rendón – Foundation of Tunja – August 6, 1539

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! scope="col" | Name

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Note(s)

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Tunja

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | 6 August

| align=center | 1539

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Tunja.svg

:8 – Baltasar Maldonado – Conquest of Tundama – December 1539

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! scope="col" | Name

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Note(s)

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Duitama

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center | 15 December

| align=center | 1539

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [http://pueblosoriginarios.com/biografias/tundama.html Biography Cacique Tundama] – Pueblos Originarios

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Duitama.svg

:9 – Hernán & Lázaro Fonte a.o. – 1540

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

! scope="col" | Name

! scope="col" | Department

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Note(s)

! scope="col" | Map

align=center | Motavita

| align=center | Boyacá

| align=center |

| align=center | 1540

| align=center | {{in lang|es}} [http://www.motavita-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml Official website Motavita] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140310085041/http://www.motavita-boyaca.gov.co/informacion_general.shtml |date=2014-03-10 }}

| align=center | File:Colombia - Boyaca - Motavita.svg

align=center | Nevado del Sumapaz

| align=center | Cundinamarca

| align=center |

| align=center | 1540

| align=center |

| align=center | File:Distrito Capital de Bogotá - Sumapaz.svg

Early colonial period

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" align=right

! scope="col" | Year(s)

! scope="col" width=300 | Epidemic

align=right | 1537

| align=right | Tunja Province: ~250,000 est. inh.

1558<

| no data

1558–60

| smallpox, measles

1568–69

| influenza

1587–90

| influenza (or typhus)

1607

| smallpox

1617–18

| measles (after food shortages)

1621

| smallpox

1633

| typhus

align=right | 1636

| align=right | Tunja Province: ~50,000 est. inh.
-80%

Not only the Spanish settlers had lost large percentages of their men due to warfare and diseases. The assessed corregimientos of the province of Tunja between 1537 and 1636 shows a decline of the total Muisca population between 65 and 85%.Francis, 2002, p.59 Epidemics were the main cause of the rapid reduction in population. Various have been reported and many undescribed in the first twenty years of contact.Francis, 2002, p.42

After the foundation of Bogotá and the installation of the new dependency of the Spanish Crown, several strategies were important to the Spanish conquerors. The rich mineral resources of the Altiplano had to be extracted, the agriculture was quickly reformed, a system of encomiendas was installed and a main concern of the Spanish was the evangelisation of the Muisca. On October 9, 1549, Carlos V sent a royal letter to the New Kingdom directed at the priests about the necessity of population reduction of the Muisca.Suárez, 2015, p.128 The indigenous people were working in the encomiendas which limited their religious conversion. To speed up the process of submittance to the Spanish reign, the mobility of the indigenous people was prohibited and the people gathered in resguardos.Segura Calderón, 2014, p.38 The formerly celebrated festivities in their religion disappeared. Specific times for the catechesis were controlled by laws, as executed in royal dictates in 1537, 1538 and 1551.Suárez, 2015, p.125 The first bishop of Santafé, Juan de los Barrios, ordered to destroy the temples of the Muisca and replace them with Catholic churches.Suárez, 2015, p.129 The last public religious ceremony of the Muisca religion was held in Ubaque on December 27, 1563.Londoño, 2001, p.4 The second bishop of Santafé, Luis Zapata de Cárdenas, intensified the aggressive policies against the Muisca religion and the burnings of their sacred sites. This formed the final nail in the coffin of the former polytheistic society.

The transition to a mixed agriculture with Old World crops was remarkably fast, mainly to do with the fertility of the lands of the Altiplano permitting European crops to grow there, while in the more tropical areas the soil was not so much suited for the foreign crops. In 1555, the Muisca of Toca were growing European crops as wheat and barley and sugarcane was grown in other areas.Francis, 1993, p.60 The previously self-sustaining economy was quickly transformed into one based on intensive agriculture and mining that produced changes in the landscape and culture of the Muisca.Martínez & Manrique, 2014, p.102

{{clear}}

See also

{{Portal|Colombia|Andes}}

:*Muisca economy, people

:*Muisca architecture, astronomy, mummies, warfare, women

Notes

{{reflist|group=note|20em}}

References

{{reflist|20em}}

Bibliography and further reading

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  • {{citation |author1-link=J. Michael Francis |last=Francis |first=John Michael |year=2002 |title=Población, enfermedad y cambio demográfico, 1537–1636. Demografía histórica de Tunja: Una mirada crítica |journal=Fronteras de la Historia |volume=7 |pages=13–76 |publisher=ICANH|doi=10.22380/20274688.682 |doi-access=free }}
  • {{citation |last=Francis |first=John Michael |year=1993 |title="Muchas hipas, no minas" The Muiscas, a merchant society: Spanish misconceptions and demographic change (M.A.) |type=M.A. |publisher=University of Alberta |pages=1–118 }}
  • {{citation |last=Gamboa Mendoza |first=Jorge |year=2016 |title=Los muiscas, grupos indígenas del Nuevo Reino de Granada. Una nueva propuesta sobre su organizacíon socio-política y su evolucíon en el siglo XVI – The Muisca, indigenous groups of the New Kingdom of Granada. A new proposal on their social-political organization and their evolution in the 16th century |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAJ-EM5h4N0 |publisher=Museo del Oro |format=video |language=es |access-date=2016-07-08}}
  • {{citation |last=Gamboa Mendoza |first=Jorge |year=2003 |title=El papel de la minería en la formación de la economía y la sociedad colonial del Nuevo Reino de Granada, siglos XVI-XVIII – The role of mining in the formation of the economy and colonial society of the New Kingdom of Granada, 16th–18th centuries |url=http://www.icanh.gov.co/recursos_user/documentos/editores/201/Articulos/MineriaNuevoReino2003.pdf |journal=Takwá |volume= |pages=1–24 |language=es |access-date=2016-07-08}}
  • {{citation |last=Groot de Mahecha |first=Ana María |year=2014 |orig-year=2008 |title=Sal y poder en el altiplano de Bogotá, 1537–1640 |publisher=Universidad Nacional de Colombia |pages=1–174 |isbn=978-958-719-046-5 |language=es}}
  • {{citation |last=Groot de Mahecha |first=Ana María |year=1992 |title=Checua: Una secuencia cultural entre 8500 y 3000 años antes del presente - Checua: a cultural sequence between 8500 and 3000 years before present |publisher=Banco de la República |url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/fian/monografias/checua-una-secuencia-cultural |pages=1–95 |access-date=2016-07-08}}
  • {{citation |last1=Henderson |first1=Hope |last2=Ostler |first2=Nicholas |year=2005 |title=Muisca settlement organization and chiefly authority at Suta, Valle de Leyva, Colombia: A critical appraisal of native concepts of house for studies of complex societies |journal=Journal of Anthropological Archaeology |volume=24 |issue=2 |publisher=Elsevier |pages=148–178 |doi=10.1016/j.jaa.2005.01.002 |issn=0278-4165}}
  • {{citation |last=Izquierdo Peña |first=Manuel Arturo |year=2014 |title=Calendario Muisca – Muisca calendar |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONyePpRcB-8 |format=video |language=es |access-date=2016-07-08}}
  • {{citation |last=Izquierdo Peña |first=Manuel Arturo |year=2009 |title=The Muisca Calendar: An approximation to the timekeeping system of the ancient native people of the northeastern Andes of Colombia (PhD) |pages=1–170 |publisher=Université de Montréal |arxiv=0812.0574 }}
  • {{citation |last=Kruschek |first=Michael H. |type=PhD |year=2003 |title=The evolution of the Bogotá chiefdom: A household view (PhD) |publisher=University of Pittsburgh |url=http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/7735/1/kruschek2003.pdf |pages=1–271 |access-date=2016-07-08}}
  • {{citation |last=Langebaek Rueda |first=Carl Henrik |year=2005a |chapter=La élite no siempre piensa lo mismo – The elite does not always think the same |title=Muiscas: representaciones, cartografías y etnopolíticas de la memoria |publisher=Universidad La Javeriana |pages=180–199 |isbn=958-683-643-6 |language=es}}
  • {{citation |last=Langebaek Rueda |first=Carl Henrik |year=2005b |title=Fiestas y caciques muiscas en el Infiernito, Colombia: un análisis de la relación entre festejos y organización política - Festivities and Muisca caciques in El Infiernito, Colombia: an analysis of the relation between celebrations and political organisation |publisher=PUCP |journal=Boletín de Arqueología |volume=9 |issn=1029-2004 |pages=281–295 |language=es}}
  • {{citation |last1=Martínez Martín |first1=A. F. |last2=Manrique Corredor |first2=E. J. |year=2014 |title=Alimentación prehispánica y transformaciones tras la conquista europea del altiplano cundiboyacense, Colombia |trans-title=Pre-Columbian Food and Transformations after European Conquest of Cundiboyacense High Plateau, Colombia | url=http://revistavirtual.ucn.edu.co/index.php/RevistaUCN/article/download/468/990 | journal=Revista Virtual Universidad Católica del Norte |volume=41 | publisher=Universidad Católica del Norte |pages=96–111 | issn=0124-5821 |language=es |access-date=2018-07-28}}
  • {{citation |last=Ocampo López |first=Javier |year=2013 |title=Mitos y leyendas indígenas de Colombia – Indigenous myths and legends of Colombia |location=Bogotá, Colombia |publisher=Plaza & Janes Editores Colombia S.A. |isbn=978-958-14-1416-1 |language=es}}
  • {{citation |last=Ocampo López |first=Javier |year=2007 |title=Grandes culturas indígenas de América - Great indigenous cultures of the Americas |location=Bogotá, Colombia |publisher=Plaza & Janes Editores Colombia S.A. |isbn=978-958-14-0368-4 |pages=1–238 |language=es}}
  • {{citation |last1=Paepe |first1=Paul de |author2-link=Marianne Cardale de Schrimpff |last2=Cardale de Schrimpff |first2=Marianne |year=1990 |title=Resultados de un estodio petrológico de cerámicas del Periodo Herrera provenientes de la Sabana de Bogotá y sus implicaciones arqueológicas – Results of a petrological study of ceramics form the Herrera Period coming from the Bogotá savanna and its archaeological implications |url=http://publicaciones.banrepcultural.org/index.php/bmo/article/viewFile/7069/7315 |journal=Boletín Museo del Oro |volume= |pages=99–119 |publisher=Museo del Oro |language=es |access-date=2016-07-08}}
  • {{citation |last=Cardale de Schrimpff |first=Marianne |year=1985 |title=En busca de los primeros agricultores del Altiplano Cundiboyacense – Searching for the first farmers of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense |location=Bogotá, Colombia |url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/4862354.pdf | publisher=Banco de la República |pages=99–125 |language=es |access-date=2016-07-08}}
  • {{citation |last=Trimborn |first=Hermann |year=2005 |title=La organización del poder público en las culturas soberanas de los chibchas – The public power organisation in the common cultures of the Chibchas |work=Muiscas: representaciones, cartografías y etnopolíticas de la memoria |publisher=Universidad La Javeriana |pages=298–314 |isbn=958-683-643-6 |language=es}}
  • {{citation |last=Zerda |first=Liborio |year=1947 |orig-year=1883 |title=El Dorado |url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/87219/brblaa302323.pdf |language=es |access-date=2016-07-08}}

= Spanish chroniclers =

  • {{citation |last= |first= |year=1979 |orig-year=1889 (1539/1548-1559?) |title=Epítome de la conquista del Nuevo Reino de Granada |journal= Boletín Cultural y Bibliográfico|volume= 16|issue= 3|url=http://publicaciones.banrepcultural.org/index.php/boletin_cultural/article/view/3679/3806 |publisher=Banco de la República |pages=81–97 |access-date=2016-11-24}}
  • {{citation |last=Jiménez de Quesada |first=Gonzalo |year=1576 |title=Memoria de los descubridores, que entraron conmigo a descubrir y conquistar el Reino de Granada |url=https://archive.org/stream/memoriasobrelasa00uric/memoriasobrelasa00uric_djvu.txt |language=es |access-date=2016-07-08}}
  • {{citation |last=De Castellanos |first=Juan |year=1857 |orig-year=1589 |title=Elegías de varones ilustres de Indias |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vnEGAAAAQAAJ |pages=1–567 |language=es |access-date=2016-07-08}}
  • {{citation |last=De Lugo |first=Bernardo |year=1619 |title=Gramática en la lengua general del Nuevo Reyno, llamada mosca – Grammar in the general language of the New Kingdom, called Mosca (Muisca) |url=https://archive.org/stream/gramaticaenlalen00lugo#page/n5/mode/2up |location=Madrid, Spain |pages=1–162 |language=es |access-date=2016-07-08}}
  • {{citation |last=Simón |first=Pedro |year=1892 |orig-year=1626 |title=Noticias historiales de las conquistas de Tierra Firme en las Indias occidentales (1882–92) vol.1–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/tierrafirmeindias01simbrich |language=es |access-date=2016-07-08}}
  • {{citation |last1=Rodríguez Freyle |first1=Juan |last2=Achury Valenzuela |first2=Darío |year=1979 |orig-year=1859 (1638) |title=El Carnero – Conquista i descubrimiento del nuevo reino de Granada de las Indias Occidentales del mar oceano, i fundacion de la ciudad de Santa Fe de Bogota |url=http://www.biblioteca.org.ar/libros/211557.pdf |publisher=Fundacion Biblioteca Ayacuch |pages=1–598 |language=es |access-date=2016-11-21 |author1-link=Juan Rodríguez Freyle }}
  • {{citation |last=Fernández de Piedrahita |first=Lucas |year=1688 |title=Historia general de las conquistas del Nuevo Reino de Granada |url=http://bdh.bne.es/bnesearch/Search.do?numfields=1&field1=autor&field1val=%22Fern%C3%A1ndez+Piedrahita%2c+Lucas%22&field1Op=AND&exact=on&advanced=true&language=esEn |language=es |access-date=2016-07-08}}

{{Colombia topics}}

{{pre-Columbian}}

{{Muisca navbox|Geography and history|state=expanded}}

Category:Indigenous culture of the Americas

Category:Altiplano Cundiboyacense

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