If any of you want Tidbits emailed directly, let me know and I'll take care of it. Tidbits may be reprinted without charge -- with attribution and without change. Additionally, if you know of anyone who you think would enjoy Tidbits, please make them aware of us. URL
He was the legendary king of the chiefdom of Chibcha in the far northern Andes of Colombia. You know him as El Dorado.
El Dorado was a person ... a city ... a kingdom ... and eventually ... a myth. How's that for attaining stature? The myth was born of the Spanish lust for gold. Who amongst us--I ask you--has not experienced this heady state of euphoria when in a moment of extreme hedonism we throw gold dust in the air and stand under the now descending showery sprinkles of sun-colored motes.
There was untold wealth, came the ubiquitous cries. Over there ... in the northern kingdoms. And the rumors grew ... till it was thought that all of central Colombia was drenched in gold. And so the Spaniards began their quest of searching out untold coffers of gold and riches which stretched beyond the boundaries of their imaginations. Alas ... the tales were nothing more than a chimera.
However ... any of you ever notice that no matter what occurs in life ... there's always a "however" lurking in the background. I wonder why that is. Anyway ... however ... very distinctive styles of gold-working centered around the area of Chibcha around Lake Guatavita. The time frame ... from the 1st century BC and onward. The stories of the Gilded Man abounded. And it was here that a ritual grew and the legend took shape.
It began with the inauguration of a new king. Prior to taking his place ... he had to spend a few secluded days in a cave ... no women ... no chili peppers. I can understand the no women. But no chili peppers? Ye gads man ... that was inhuman! On the appointed day ... our king to be made a quick trek to the lake ... stripped off his clothes ... had his nude bod smeared with goo ... and was subsequently covered with gold dust. He then boarded a raft which was laden with treasures while accompanied by compatriots?also nude-- who were attired in golden bracelets and pendants and earrings. It was a sight to behold.
To make this short ... the raft was then pushed into the middle of the lake ... the treasures were thrown overboard as an offering to the gods ... and the gilded man--El Dorado--became king.
And so ... in a moment of rare discovery ... I ... Benjamin Mark ... owner of Tyler-Adam Corp ... have uncovered an image of that very raft ... with the gilded man and his attendants and their accompanying treasures ... all made of gold ... all naked as jay-birds ... whatever that means--floating on a lake ... ready for the grand inaugural ceremony that would herald the new king as lord and master of his realm. Oh what a sight.
For those of you who are new to this thing called Tidbits...may I direct you to my home page at
And there ya have it. That's it for this week folks. Catch you all next week. Benjamin Mark
All issues of Tidbits are copyrighted and available from our home page. All rights reserved.