Pre-Colombian Art Museum, Costa Rica

It has been years since I browsed in a museum and this one in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, was a treat. The Pre-Colombian Gold Museum was located in a subterranean building beneath the very modern Plaza de la Cultura. Costa Rica is one of the Blue Zone countries were people live a long healthy life. I thought the scene with the undertaker was touching in it’s simplicity.

Understated but exquisite gold jewelry – you could wear it today.

The items above are inhalers – so much more fun than Vicks! Don’t commit any drug offences in present day Costa Rica, though. Very long jail sentences for offenders.

A handsome warrior modelling the neck ornaments and some very large ear plugs.

I really wanted to take the alligator incense burner home but I preferred my Radisson hotel room to a jail cell… Beneath is a ceremonial and intricately carved grinding metate for corn or other substances.

Above is an illustration of all the Costa Rican prehistoric animals. Look to the right – there is a giant sloth.

Plaza de la Cultura, San Jose, Costa Rica