The Quimbaya civilization, which flourished more than 1,000 years ago in what is now southwestern Colombia, is noted for its detailed gold work.  Among the vast collection of pre-Columbian items on display in Bogotà’s Museo de Oro are between 15 and 20 Quimbaya artifacts, all about 2-3 inches in length, that bear an unmistakable resemblance to modern aircraft.

 

“They are not airplanes!” panicked archaeologists insist.  “They depict birds, fish, and insects!”  Really?  Look at the object pictured above – which is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington DC and described as a “stylized insect” – and tell us what you see.

 

Dr. Ivan Sanderson – a noted British-born biologist who wrote extensively about his efforts to track down the Loch Ness Monster, the Abominable Snowman, and Bigfoot – examined this Quimbaya artifact and concluded it looked too mechanical to be a representation of a natural creature.  J. A. Ulrich, a German aviation expert, found that the artifact closely resembled a Swedish SAAB jet.  In 1994, three German researchers created radio-controlled 16:1 scale models of two Quimbaya “airplanes,” equipped them with engines and landing gear, and found that they flew perfectly.  A flight demo was filmed at a Florida mall to eliminate any future doubt.

 

The Quimbaya civilization created many amazing gold objects but there are no indications it had the ability to build high-tech flying machines.  However, like the Peruvian Nazca Lines, the gold Quimbaya “airplanes” suggest that pre-Columbian inhabitants of South America had observed sophisticated aircraft in the skies above.  Although additional supporting evidence remains to be uncovered, it sure appears something was up there.