File number: clb0044

© South American Pictures/ Jason Howe

The legend of El Dorado - the gilded man - has been related to Lake Guatavita in the Colombian highlands since the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century. The story goes that when a new ruler was appointed among the Chibcha (Muisca) people, he was taken to the centre of the lake, covered in golddust, on a raft laden with precious objects. All the treasure was left behind in the lake, though despite several explorations, little has ever been found.