Colombian emeralds found in ancient Panama burials reveal vast pre-Columbian trade links

More than a thousand years ago, elite leaders in what today makes up the nation of Panama would be buried along with unique green gems that seemingly originated in Colombia, more than 700 km away. Their origin has now been identified through scientific analysis, which indicates that the stones were Colombian emeralds.The finding comes from a study published in Latin American Antiquity, during which scientists and archaeologists studied five green semi-translucent stones from two large archaeological sites in Panama’s Pacific coast region: El Caño and Sitio Conte.Emeralds buried alongside elite grave goodsAs reported in an Archaeology Magazine article, scientific research has confirmed that green stones recovered from elite burials in Panama more than 1,000 years ago were Colombian emeralds.The burial sites are known for having produced a variety of other items such as gold objects, mirrors made of pyrite, and megalodon teeth fossils. The researchers used various techniques, such as portable X-ray fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy, in identifying the composition and provenance of these stones.The findings revealed that all five samples were emeralds and that their chemical composition resembled that of emeralds mined in Colombia.As per the research, these emeralds were consistent with emeralds originating from Colombia's Western and Eastern Emerald Belts.Evidence of long-distance exchangeThis finding represents some of the clearest evidence of far-reaching exchange systems among societies within the Isthmo-Colombian area during the first millennium AD.Based on the report, the emeralds may have travelled more than 700 kilometres, or approximately 435 miles, before they made their way to Panama. Nonetheless, Carlos Mayo Torné, the lead author and an archaeologist with Fundación El Caño and the Technological University of Panama, noted that the exchange of the precious stones was probably not direct between mining groups in Colombia and the Coclé chiefdoms of Panama.Rather, it is possible that these gemstones passed from one community to another using the system called "down-the-line exchange". Perhaps coastal societies and riverine peoples also facilitated the transport of the precious stones to other regions.The findings indicate that exchange systems allowed for the connection of disparate societies prior to contact with European settlers. Local craftsmanship adds another layer to the storyIt was also noted that there was variation in the treatment of the emeralds before they got to Panama. While some seem to have been brought in as ready or partially ready artifacts, others may have been modified by the local artisans.Evidently, there was drilling and cutting of several stones. In some cases, the attempts at drilling the emeralds resulted in damage and cracks to the crystals. Nevertheless, the stones were kept for later burial with the elites. As explained by Mayo Torné, this is an indication of the high symbolic importance of the stones in Coclé society.It became apparent to the researchers that the emeralds were extremely rare among the finds. There were very few emerald-like stones recovered from the area, which were sometimes used as part of adornments.A glimpse into changing political landscapesIn addition to the decorative function of these stones, the emeralds might have had an important political and social role.According to the research, prestige objects obtained through extensive long-distance transactions might have been used in forming new political alliances and securing the elite position. Such items usually functioned as symbolic displays of political and economic strength and connections across long distances.In addition, researchers have found that emeralds and some other imported luxury items seem to disappear in the central Panamanian archaeological record after around 1000 AD. The period correlates well with transformations in funeral rituals and the abandonment of elite ceremonial centres.Nevertheless, the researchers did not make any definitive statements regarding the reason for such trends and noted the need for further studies.Mapping ancient trade routesThe study provides the first scientific confirmation that emeralds recovered from pre-Columbian Panama originated in Colombia.The authors suggest further research into the specific pathways used in their transport. As stated by the authors, future studies could use archaeological data together with spatial modelling methods to explore the network of connections between various peoples of the region.The findings contribute to our understanding of the complex networks of interaction that connected different societies in the Americas before European colonisation. Tracing the history of just a few gems helped scientists discover one more aspect of interactions that took place in ancient America.