Sun Temple (Sogamoso)

Sun Temple

Reconstruction of the Sun Temple Archaeology Museum, Sogamoso
Location within Colombia
Location	Sogamoso, Boyacá
Region	Altiplano Cundiboyacense,  Colombia
Coordinates	5°42′34.57″N 72°55′34.98″W / 5.7096028°N 72.9263833°W / 5.7096028; -72.9263833Coordinates: 5°42′34.57″N 72°55′34.98″W / 5.7096028°N 72.9263833°W / 5.7096028; -72.9263833
Altitude	2,503 m (8,212 ft)
Type	Temple
Part of	Archaeology Museum, Sogamoso Muisca sites
Height	18 metres (59 ft)
History
Material	Wood, clay, reed
Abandoned	Spanish conquest
Periods	Late Muisca
Cultures	Muisca
Satellite of	Sugamuxi
Associated with	Sugamuxi
Site notes
Excavation dates	1942
Archaeologists	Eliécer Silva Celis
Condition	Destroyed, reconstructed
Public access	Yes

The Sun Temple of Sogamoso was a temple constructed by the Muisca as a place of worship for their Sun god Sué. The temple was built in Sogamoso, Colombia, then part of the Muisca Confederation and called Sugamuxi. It was the most important temple in the religion of the Muisca. The temple was destroyed by fire brought by the Spanish conquistadores led by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada who was eager to find the legendary El Dorado. A reconstruction has been built in the Archeology Museum of Sogamoso.

The Temple of the Sun was built on the right banks of the small river Monquirá. The temple was a big round structure made of poles and clay with a roof made of reed. The temple did not have any windows. The columns surrounding the temple were built in three concentric rings made of wood harvested in Casanare. The temple represented the cosmos and was built to honour Sun god Sué. The temple also was a burial ground for the most important caciques and priests (Chibcha: ogques).

The Muisca has a decent knowledge of astronomy and constructed various sites across their territories. El Infiernito, just outside Villa de Leyva has survived. The Sun Temple was constructed according to the positions of the Sun.

At the temple rituals were organised by the caciques and zaques of the Muisca Confederation. The mythological Idacansás held gatherings where children (moxas) were sacrificed. He made the city of Sugamuxi a sacred place. Mythical Thomagata was believed to travel each night between Tunja and the temple, a march he repeated ten times per night.